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JAZZ™ Apple's Lauren Ellis torched the field in the concluding stage of the Tour de White Rock, claiming the first road race of her career, and leaving the women’s field badly charred on the abrupt slopes of road race circuit set on White Rock Bluff. As attrition was beginning to bite hard on the unforgiving course, Ellis and Susy Pryde drove a break of six that included Ruth Corset over the crest of the day's most difficult incline. Lauren catapulted from the wilting cluster as the few converged on the quickly approaching Queen of the Mountain sprint, and only heads hung low in response. In an incredible display of strength, the 19-year-old proceeded to crest climb after climb on the 10-km circuit, alone with only the Pacific zephyrs accompanying her crusade. As Ellis' lead extended to more than three minutes, tour leader, Ruth settled in to the coveted role out of the wind with Susy, nullifying any threats to the growing lead. Willfully crunching through the taxing two-and-a-half hour event, Lauren had abundant time to enjoy an emphatic victory before the marveling crowd. The remnants of the field appeared more than three minutes later with Susy leading Ruth into the finish. Ruth nailed second place, and Giant's Stephanie Roorda was third over Cheerwine's Sarah Bamburger. Enhancing the morning's outing, Ruth secured the overall White Rock victory with her impressive sprinting and climbing consistency — spelling the end to JAZZ™ Apple's most successful BC Superweek yet — having swooped two overall wins in Delta and White Rock, as well as podium finishes in Gastown and Burnaby. Read more in ‘The Vancouver Sun' Thank you to our loyal and splendid sponsors and supporters, we're but a bockety wheel without you. ENZA JAZZ™ Apples | Champion Systems Clothing | Genius Bikes | SRAM | Grammo | MET Helmets | Lake Shoes | JCL Construction / BioVapor | GU | The Linder family | The Duffy family RUTH HANGS ON FOR THIRD IN GIRO DI BURNABY
Salvaging a few hours respite following the Gastown extravaganza, the JAZZ™ Apple four jetted to the podium again in Vancouver's, Giro di Burnaby on Thursday, July 17. The lithe and incredibly improved, Lauren Ellis smoked out of the bunch time and again in an effort for a breakaway while eventual third place finisher, Ruth Corset took a day adopting a plucky sprinter's spirit. Ruth’s brazen strength fortuitously minced the field into a bite-sized group, while Malindi Maclean and Susy Pryde were able to sprint for cash primes – Susy handily snaring the evening's crowd prime. Approaching the finish line, Ruth leapt from the clutches of the field with Cheerwine's Kelly Benjamin and Webcor's Gina Grain reacting in unison. The end was nothing short of the dramatic, nail-biting kind, but the photo finish established that Ruth was unable to hold off the pair. Benjamin took the victory. Read more in the ‘Burnaby News Leader’ RUTH CORSET PROVES SPRINTERS PROWESS IN GASTOWN
The JAZZ™ Apple quartet tuned their instruments for yet another multi-movement classical composition in the 35th annual Tour de Gastown July 16. Laced in history, the Tour de Gastown is set on an irregular rectangle-shaped cobble stoned course that includes one, 180 degree left hand hairpin turn, tricky enough that it has long attracted a who's who in cycling to it's downtown Vancouver lair. Brimming with over 40,000 supporters, the women's event included two of the Canadian Olympic team members, both Vancouver locals, Gina Grain and Erinne Willock driving the crowd into a frenzy of a hometown anticipation. Propelling from the line, Grain captured the first cash prime on the second lap. Openly revealing her on-form condition, Grain jumped clear from the group. As Grain gained seconds, JAZZ™ Apple's Malindi Maclean skirted to the front, and Susy Pryde was able to launch across solo within a lap. The pair gained time, but Aaron's Alison Testroete tarried to pursue the escapees, and they were reabsorbed just before a healthy cash prime. As smooth as butter on the cobbled course, Lauren Ellis flew onto the sprint train and covered Erin Willock's counter, spreading out the oxygen starved field leading into the next $600 prime. With Malindi hovering like a well-crafted Zeppelin, Ellis maneuvered into position in the hair pin turn before calamity struck. Maclean's seat broke, and sensing Maclean's sudden absence, Ellis rocketed out of the front fold and gained a five second advantage. Cheerwine's Sarah Bamburger drove the front and with Grain glued to her wheel, Grain jumped out to just clip Ellis on the line.
At two to go, the Genius-sheathed duo of Ruth Corset and Susy propelled to the front setting up for the concerto. As Willock built up steam, Susy jockeyed position with Ruth on her wheel. Approaching the final turn, Ruth confidently slipped onto the wheel of Cheerwine speedster, Kelly Benjamin. As Grain launched into the sprint with Benjamin and Ruth, Susy hesitated to create a gap that saw the three jump clear on the finish stretch. With fever pitch, the three hit the line stretched across the road with their scabbard's lunging forward for the victory. In a dramatically close finish, Grain took a popular hometown victory over Benjamin. Ruth finished third, having now proven she has a rather handy pair of sprinter's pins to match her climbing prowess, while Susy finished in eighth place. The quartet then moved on to Burnaby for another evening event before the start of the Tour de White Rock. Read more in the Vancouver SunJAZZ APPLES’ RUTH CORSET WINS TOUR DE DELTA
Ruth Corset discovered a new found passion for French bubbles over her native Australian favorite, 'Cab Sav' after taking a convincing win in the opening 3 km time-trial prologue at the Tour de Delta, British Columbia, July 11. Upon the starter's final countdown, Ruth blazed down the starting ramp with her Grammo wheels humming akin to the 'winged-heel messenger of the Gods' in Greek mythology. Darting through the first tight round-a-bout, Ruth proceeded around the square-shaped course with uninhibited tenacity, striking each turn with fighting urgency to fly up the finishing hill with outspread wings. Finally, after the last rider had completed their own odyssey on the course, Ruth was honored with victory with a one-and-a-half minute buffer over second place and consequently dubbed ‘Super-Mum’ by the inspired crowd. Ruth took to the stage with her usual modest poise, and upon being awarded the tour leader's jersey and victory champagne, Ruth struck a wry smile before showering the stage and whetting her whistle with the delicate French bubbles. Proving that her own spirit and stamina was up for the task, Lauren Ellis cut her own sharp orbit around the North Delta circuit finishing in fifth place, just nanoseconds behind the leaders. Susy Pryde finished 11th after snapping her cleat just moments into the race, and Malindi Maclean followed close behind, documenting a sterling team performance leading into the second stage in Ladner, Delta. Read interview with Ruth Corset on bicyclepaper.com STAGE 2: LADNER CRITERIUM
Despite a skirmish or two in stage two of the Tour de Delta, the JAZZ™ Apple Cycling Team forced a late break in the Ladner criterium to maintain their hold on the yellow fleece on Saturday. Thanks to someone's unrestrained paw on the prime bell, lap after lap prime chimes inflicted the sting of single-file concentration upon the herd of riders. In timely, ever-present fashion, Lauren Ellis marshaled all moves at the front, managing to contain any serious threats. That was until tour leader Ruth Corset bounced onto the pavement in the major crash of the race. Ruffled but largely unhurt, both Ruth and Malindi Maclean gathered themselves in the pit before Malindi took Ruth back to the front of the action within a single lap. In the final legs, Susy Pryde and Lauren bolted down the crowd-lined home stretch, piercing the peloton in several places. Ruth, who was waiting with her boosters glowing and at the ready, launched down the long, fast backstretch with one-and-a-half to go. Only the ever-present Cheerwine team responded with Sarah Bamburger chasing on behalf of their on-form, electric, ladyland-like sprinter, Kelly Banjamin. The two caught Ruth in the last lap but were unable to respond with a counter, and Ruth sprinted home only to be taken by Benjamin in the latter stage of the sprint. Ruth conceded just four seconds to Benjamin in the time bonus but maintained the overall lead heading into day three's road race. Lauren and Malindi finished sixth and seventh, respectively. STAGE 3: TSAWWASSEN ROAD RACE
In the extreme Southwestern corner of British Columbia, Tsawwassen's slopes lay home to a fishing village on Boundary Bay separating the U.S. from Canada. The Tour still only separated by small time margins, the eleven-lap hilly circuit was reckoned by many as the single clear and present danger to shuffling the overall standings. Weighing anchor, the field drove straight into the day's first Queen of the Mountain sprint within 1 km. With Amazonian strength in place of stature, Ruth Corset advanced over the climb with the field akin to entrails in her wake. Reeling Ruth back after 3 km, the field slowly chewed on the acerbic pill of facing Ruth's speed on the approaching ten QOM climbs. As the Tsawwassen breeze strengthened, so did JAZZ™ Apple's spirit. While Malindi Maclean slipped into any small breaks on the flat, on lap seven Lauren Ellis and Susy Pryde struck into the climb, stringing out the field before Ruth flew by like a freshly released arrow from its bow. Only Cheerwine's Sarah Bamburger was able to dangle on Ruth's velocity; but she refused to work her turn at the front, forcing Ruth to drive ahead. Unluckily, Giant's team of eight worked hard to bring Ruth back, and any counters made by Lauren and Susy only continued to minimize the group, all of whom worked together on the long, gradual downhill and flat, absorbing them and their efforts into the final stages of the race.
Although facing possible combat in a sprint against Benjamin, Susy and Lauren continued to attack, with Lauren then single-handedly managing to place Ruth at the forefront of the gallop. Turning into the final 300m-long windy finish stretch, Ruth drove it early, realizing it had to be a long, difficult sprint, or all would be lost against Benjamin's jump. Benjamin was caught off-guard being placed eight places back in the fold of the group, jumping to attention as the JAZZ™ Apple jersey flew off the front. Thrashing down the finishing stretch, Benjamin just clipped Ruth on the line in a brilliant duel of wills. Second in the stage but securing the QOM title as well as the overall win for the Tour de Delta (accompanied by a sensation or three of champagne) was reward enough for the JAZZ™ Apple quartet, who now head to Vancouver's Gastown district for the celebrated 'Gastown Grand Prix' event on July 16. Read an interview with Ruth Corset in the ‘Delta Optimist’ LAUREN ELLIS DOMINATES VACAVILLE CRITERIUM
Slipping into our Champion System JAZZ™ Apple threads, the body made every known firm objection to the idea of anaerobic effort for today's one-hour Northern California Criterium Championships, calling for a careful plot on the 1.6km technical and rolling course. Vying for the title were vast sets of fresh legs that had not just raced the day before in Leesville Staying close to the moves but out of the wind, the JAZZ™ Apple crew launched its first attack with seven laps to go. Susy Pryde was caught after one lap, to be countered by Ruth Corset into the course's challenging 200m climb. Malindi patrolled the front and noting the field's muscle clearly faltering, Susy countered again to fly solo. Lap-by-lap, Susy's lead yo-yoed until a concerted chase sucked her back into the pack on the final lap.
Executing faultless timing, Lauren rocketed past on the opposite side of the road heading up the final climb with Cheerwine's, Sarah Bamberger chasing hard midway between Lauren and the group. Driving over the climb, Lauren extended a gap and crossed the line in a very thrilling victory. In front of a cheering crowd, Lauren had her first chance to celebrate victory, all the more rewarding after yesterday's unfortunate finish. Ruth, feeling recovered from her exceptional day in Leesville, jumped early into the sprint and powerfully held off the remaining field to claim a gutsy third place. View official results This week spells the last in the Monterey area as the team prepare to leave for BC Superweek in Vancouver on Thursday, a 9-day spell of racing. Thank you to all our tremendous supporters, we are truly very grateful: ENZA JAZZ™ Apples RUTH CORSET CONQUORS LEESVILLE GAP
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Trading in the gentle seaside breezes of last weekend's Manhattan Beach for Northern California's torched inland furnace, the JAZZ™ Apple Cycling Team blazed to victory both in the seriously tough, Leesville Gap Road Race and the Northern Californian Criterium Championships in Vacaville.
In the 18th annual 108km Leesville Gap epic, every rider is certain to have a tale to tell by the day's end. Ruth Corset ended the day valiantly with a crushing victor's account of events, but, no doubt, everyone involved suffered a crusade worthy of mention.
Susy Pryde joined the first solo attack of the day by ValueAct's Courtney Brown after just four kilometers. With a two-minute buffer, the pair hit the 50km stretch of the 'Gap,' a vague footprint of an access road -- now a crater-riddled trail scattered with long gravel road sections. At the first 8km incline, the duo began dodging the strewn remains of the earlier men's groups either repairing punctures in their numbers or resolving to pull over to stretch their weary limbs.
In the group behind, Ruth launched her first attack as the ascent steepened, quickly joining the breakaway pair mid-way up the incline. Courtney could not quite handle the quickened pace as Susy and Ruth pulled away, hitting the gravel road sections at speed. That was until Ruth punctured 20km later. With mechanical support caught behind the group, Susy swapped out her rear wheel with Ruth and sent her on her way.
Sidelined in the torching heat and waiting for mechanical support, Susy then watched the chase group of four fly by with Lauren Ellis conveniently lodged on the back of the group. Malindi Maclean had suffered two punctures at the bottom of the climb. Meanwhile, Ruth continued a colossal effort on her own, her diminutive frame deceptively continuing to gain time on the chase.
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Into the last 8km, Ruth had assured her win with an impressive 5-minute lead while Lauren was setting up for a three-up gallop. Surprisingly, there was one final 5km gravel road. With the three jockeying in the graduated gravel, the day almost culminated in disaster. Emerging safely, Lauren began launching only to be shut down approaching the final dash. One final jump, and Lauren crossed the line a dominating second. However, Lauren had inadvertently snuck a few inches over the center line in the sprint and was unluckily disqualified on a technicality. Nevertheless, it was an outstanding voyage, and aside from being completely exhausted, we all quietly admired the pulverizing strength of Ruth's ride.
JAZZ APPLES LEAD THE FRAY IN MANHATTAN BEACH
June 29
Amid the salt breezes of Manhattan Beach, the JAZZ™ Apple Women's Cycling Team opted to lacquer on some healthy aggression over the sunscreen for the annual Manhattan Beach Grand Prix. This was the scene where Malindi Maclean placed second last year, and it was time to see if there might be a repeat performance.
Five laps into the race, the field sprinted for cash and product primes, but then Ruth Ellis went on the offensive, making a clear break on the rolling course. The field responded but was quickly countered by Lauren, as the 19-year-old youngster who promptly demonstrated she is in dangerous form, screeching out of the group with only a single rider able to follow. Sensing peril, the mighty Cheerwine train ventured to the front for their dynamic sprinters, Laura Van Gilder and Kelly Benjamin, and their crew concertedly chased down the attack. But Lauren was in remarkable form and responded to the immediate counter, sprinting for the forthcoming prime. Tibco then threw down their 'full house' hand and clambered to the front, pulling back Lauren from her spirited foray.
Ruth Corset then took no time to tarry, and escaped off the front at the critical moment of the catch sending the JAZZ™ Apple jersey off the front yet again. Half way through the 50-minute event, Ruth was joined by two riders, and the field began to signal their lethargy with increasing hesitation in the chase. Only a hefty prime prize instigated a flurry of attacks, which brought back Ruth's lead group.
But then Susy Pryde went away with longtime ex-team-mate, Pam Schuster of team Helen's. The duo worked well together and stayed away for the longest surviving break, but they were caught 10 laps before the finish. Ruth then countered yet again, signaling that the JAZZ™ Apple contingent was not going to leave anything in the tank by race end, and forced all the major players to bring it back together.
Saving a trump card for the finale, Alison Shanks rocketed from the bunch, going solo with four laps to go. The persistent wind flustered the field and got in the way of a coordinated chase. Ali moved away, establishing a strong gap and demonstrating impressive power before leaving for Europe and the final stages of her Olympic build-up. The Cheerwine and Tibco teams burnt up all their rocket fuel to bring her back, and Ali was caught with just under one lap remaining.
In response, Lauren again hit the blast-off button, leaving a virtual trail of smoke up and over the course's short climb. The field panicked for a moment, and it looked like Lauren's move might stick before the experienced Cheerwine group organized at the front and clawed Lauren back.
Into the final sprint, Malindi was in excellent position on Tibco's sprinter, Brooke Miller who was the eventual winner, but she was unluckily swamped into the final turn and shut out of any placing. Emma Petersen, the team's junior racer had had a solid ride at the front of the race, supporting the critical moves.
The young team proved they were a force off the front for the entire race, clearly making the narrative for the prestigious Manhattan Beach GP in 2008. Everyone was commended by their fellow race contemporaries for an impressive JAZZ™ Apple display, and collected the fair share of prime prizes for their efforts.
The day ended with a friendly game of volleyball on Manhattan Beach’s sandy shores.
Next weekend has the JAZZ™ Apple Team visiting the Bay Area for the Leesville Gap Road Race and Vacaville criterium.
View results and photos on velonews.com
NOTE FROM SUSY PRYDE
June 17
It's been nothing short of a three week thrill ride so far for the JAZZ™ Apple Cycling Team who have crunched their way through a fair slice of the 50 States in their recent U.S. racing adventures. Only a slice by slice re-telling could do it justice.
We head to Monterey this evening, and are all looking forward to some recovery days and being settled at 'home.’ After a week of relative rest we're off to Southern California for the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix.
A massive thank you goes out to our wonderful host family, the Garbers here in Wayzata, Minnesota. And of course to all our fabulous supporters over the past few weeks:
- Larry Martin (Lazza) -- absolutely tip-top bloke and quite handy at mechanics too.
- Bob Biese -- always generous.
- The Linder Family -- our Monterey mother-ship of support!
- Paul Skorpinski of The Oppenheimer Group, and the Hawkes Bay Apple Growers who came to see us here in Minnesota.
- Brooke Kennedy -- For the 'saviour' GU sachets that have fuelled our race food supplies since Philly's Liberty Classic.
NATURE VALLEY GRAND PRIX SEPARATES WOMEN FROM THE GIRLS
June 11 – 15
Stage 1: Minneapolis / St Paul CriteriumThrashed by storms, the criterium was under serious threat of cancellation. One minute it was on; next, it was off. Finally, it was on, and everyone emerged from their team cars without warming up, to take to the storm drenched streets.
When the gun went off it was as if Kristin Armstrong of the U.S. National Team got a shot of adrenaline and smoked from the line, like the lightening that was striking close by. In the huge field of 145 riders, the course was almost end-to-end riders from lap one, and immediately riders were being pulled from the race by the officials. Finally, Armstrong lapped the field, but the race was annulled among the mayhem of lapped and pulled riders.
Stage 2: Cannon Falls Road RaceThe 5:30 evening start for the 110km race started with a slight hiccup, as the neutral lead car led the peloton in completely the wrong direction. With a squealing of brakes the field was promptly turned around, and Armstrong led the drive in reverse, forcing riders to be dropped immediately. Unfortunately, that included our own Malindi Maclean, while Susy Pryde and Ruth Corset got the front as quickly as possible for the first Queen of the Mountains sprint looming. Ruth took second in the QOM sprint, and we all settled into a windswept stage in the gutter and avoiding pile-ups.
Emma had an outstanding ride leading Ruth out for the third QOM and helping her move around the group with pro-like finesse. Meanwhile, Lauren Ellis, who had been dropped by the Armstrong attack, chased back into the game with an impressive display of speed, but she was edged off the back in the final 15km after a short dirt road section that lead to a heavily pockmarked, nasty descent. Ruth finished an impressive 6th in the stage, with Emma and Susy tucked in the group. Emma placed 8th among the Young Riders, and the JAZZ™ Apples placed 6th in the team standings.
Stage 3: St. Paul Riverfront Individual Time TrialWith Susy suffering laryngitis, Emma Petersen, Lauren Ellis, Malindi Maclean and Ruth Corset lined up for the morning's 10.2km Individual Time Trial. Running alongside the Mississippi River, Armstrong would prove to be all too powerful for the field, executing a blistering performance that exposed nearly half the field to the 20% time cut. After much deliberation, the officials decided to extend it, but that still meant that Emma, riding Junior gears, fell victim the cut -- as did Malindi. In a senior race, Emma was deemed to be subject to the same rules as senior riders, so we abided by the rules. Ruth and Lauren faired relatively respectably given they were on their ordinary road bikes. Stage 4: Minneapolis Downtown Classic
Four stages into the Nature Valley Grand Prix, the field had no intention of taking things easy, as each lap was an end-on-end single-file affair. It was a good thing that Ruth Corset and Lauren Ellis had first dibs of the start, putting them in pole position for the early moves. For Lauren, fatigue was getting the best of her, and she lost contact with 11 laps to go. But Ruth had a good ride and finished in the top half of the pack.
Stage 5: Mankato Road Race145km of windswept rollers, with three punishing finishing circuits with an average 20% incline per 400m lap. Just looking at the finishing circuits inspired involuntary leg cramps, and that was without factoring the 130km to travel before! Lauren Ellis and Ruth Corset became a powerful duo, with Lauren leading Ruth out for the first QOM sprint at 120km. It was an impressive display by ‘Loz,’ stringing the field out and forcing riders to be dropped in the final 600m.
Ruth was barely passed on the sprint, but then she kept going, forcing a breakaway with Aaron's rider, Felicia Gomez. The two earned a handy gap, and it was only the ever-present Armstrong who reacted, forcing the field to chase. The two were caught after 5km, just as they entered the tough finishing circuits. That was when Armstrong decided to put down her coffee mug and blast away in an impressive solo effort. Ruth attacked on the last circuit going away on her own. Unluckily, her tiny frame was not particularly aerodynamic on the descent and she was caught just 200m from the line. Armstrong won the stage, and Ruth finished 9th in the end.
Stage 6: Stillwater Circuit RaceIt is a rather cruel way to finish the Grand Prix tour, as the Stillwater stage is a 1.5mile circuit, punctuated with a 400 meter hill with an average grade of 24% up the infamous Chilkoot Hill. If the rider’s legs aren't already punctured, this stage ensures they are completely deflated by the end of the grueling 12 laps.
Riding a wave of optimism, the plan was for our own Ruth Corset to go on the attack, aiming for a stage win, and possibly leap-frog into the top three. Ruth was already in the top three on QOM points, and possibly if all went according to plan, she could make a significant move. However, despite being called to the line, Ruth was in for a shock.
From the gun, Felicia Gomez from Aaron's attacked, and the pace was crackling. Ruth managed to move into the top 5 before the hammer dropped. But then her legs seized, and agonizingly she found she could just barely go through the motions. It was just a bad day, and unfortunately for us, it was not the sort of course that you could hide on, or get any recovery on. It was clearly frustrating for Ruth, who on any ordinary day would have been fizzing on this type of topography. But bad days happen to the best of us and so she had to just ride it out
Lauren Ellis managed to catch up with Ruth, and the two rode it out together. Lauren appears to get stronger and stronger as this campaign progresses, which is very encouraging.
COMMERCE BANK LIBERTY CLASSIC
June 8
With Belinda Goss unable to race and Susy falling under the weather, it became a JAZZ™ Apple squad with an average age of 18 -- those pupils being Malindi Maclean, Emma Petersen and Lauren Ellis.
The Liberty Classic never disappoints. The downtown Philadelphia course consists of four laps of a 14.4 mile circuit with four steep climbs up the grueling Manayunk Wall. It is ensconced in fanfare, media buzz, elaborate decorations along the course, and it promises an atmosphere of excitement unparalleled. Flitting in and out of the start tents is a veritable who's who of cycling. Admirably, the youngsters handled the huge atmosphere like budding pros, focusing in on the event without being overwhelmed.
Lauren (‘Loz’) proved to have one of those days you dream of. Like there was no pressure on the pedals and was in the first 15 up the harrowed 'Manyunk Wall' every lap. Emma also managed to position herself well but lost contact with leaders on the third lap of four. She was in good company though, and was yet another encouraging sign she was building back again after her tryst with heat exhaustion.
Lauren finished with the very select front group of 25, but while sprinting for a top ten finish, a crash in the sprint meant Lauren had to swerve. Amazingly, she did not crash, but she was forced to divert her course to the line through the stands, like a billy goat, to cross the line finally. It was truly a breakthrough day for Lauren, an outstanding ride.
After a stop at the JAZZ™ Apple tent to meet and greet many spectators, the team headed for an overnight stop in New York on the way to the Nature Valley Grand Prix.
COMMERCE BANK READING CLASSIC
June 5
Race two of the Triple Crown in Reading, PA, involved a 2km circuit of Reading's most scabrous streets that made more for an obstacle course than a speed affair. This was Emma Petersen’s first race back after burying herself with heat exhaustion, and she proved to be finding her race legs again with excellent positioning at the front.
Lauren Ellis (now affectionately known as ‘Loz,’ after explaining that the more we shorten your name, the more we like you) got caught behind some early spills and lost contact with the leaders on the patchy course. Susy Pryde finished in the main group, which was several seconds behind a breakaway bunch, which was once again won by the on form Highroad rider, Ina Teutenberg.
Meanwhile, Belinda Goss had been suffering a constant barrage of headaches and migraines, possibly related to a major head injury 8 months prior, so we decided it was best to take steps to have Belinda seen thoroughly at home at the AIS in New Zealand. It spelled a disappointing end to her racing with us in North America, and we began missing her even before she left us a few days later.
COMMERCE BANK LEIGH VALLEY CLASSIC
June 3
Alison Shanks caught a flight back to Monterey to spend some hours on the San Jose track, while the rest of the JAZZ™ Apple team caught a late evening departure from Tulsa that put them in Philadelphia's city of brotherly love at half past midnight. A mistaken cancellation by the rental car company meant our crew arrived in Allentown, PA, at 3:30 a.m. Oh the joys of traveling. A few hours later, Susy Pryde and Malindi Maclean lined up for the first of the very exciting, very thrilling Commerce Bank Triple Crown races.
Right from the gun, the pace was nothing short of hurtling, and the field quickly splintered. Susy made the front group before a barrage of attacks by the Cervelo Life-Force team. Eventually, a group of five escaped off the front, and only Ina-Yoko Teutenberg managed to escape across in an impressive display. Ina took the line honors in the end, and Susy finished 18th in a field that looked like an explosion had split it apart.
JAZZ APPLES PROVE THEIR TOUGHNESS IN TULSA
May 31 – June 1
Being in tornado country, we were hoping to be swept away to a magical land of endless race wins, a la Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. In fact it looked like Belinda Goss had veritably slipped on Dorothy's red shoes with her electric sprint, and dashing around the group to make all the vital breaks. But it wasn't without the lieutenant-like assistance of Emma Petersen, who zipped across to several breaks to be on hand.
In the final laps, Susy Pryde and Lauren Ellis drove the front for the lead-out, and while Lauren was almost taken out by a lapped rider, Susy closed the gap on one lone and dangerous looking escapee off the front. Meanwhile, Belinda jumped on the Cheerwine train in the dying stages but was unluckily pinched in the final turn finishing 5th. However, as Belinda had been snagged in more than one of a plethora of pile-ups forcing two visits to the wheel pit for buckled wheels, the commissaire deemed her second visit superfluous, and was unluckily given a placing at the rear of the lead group.
Unfortunately, that was not the end to an evening that was turning more prickly than perfect. After a determined and impressive effort by our junior rider, Emma, the sweltering Tulsa heat proved too tough for her thermostat. Emma suffered a serious blow with heat exhaustion. Susy and Emma spent the evening in the hospitality of St Joseph's Accident and Emergency; a Friday night no-less. That meant an IV of electrolytes spaced out over a period of eight hours, and we finally managed to check out at 7:00 a.m. … just in time to get ready for …
Read a pre-race interview with Belinda in the Tulsa World News
Tulsa Tough: Race Two
Sleep deprivation never waylaid the best of them, so that was the mantra to be adopted for another day of world-class cycling in sweltering conditions. While Emma had to rest and stay out of the heat, Alison Shanks, Lauren Ellis, Belinda Goss, Malindi Maclean and Susy Pryde headed out, seeking retribution.
After several laps of settling into the technical eight corner, windswept course, Ali jumped free off the front with two riders in tow. Sensing danger behind, Pro-Man's Shelley Olds jumped across the gap, and Belinda glued to her wheel to be towed across.
With two JAZZ™ Apple riders in the break, Ali drove the pace, but unfortunately no one else was keen to give her a hand. Ali picked up several cash primes but the Cheerwine team proved too much, reeling the breakaway group back into the pack. In the dying stages, Susy covered the last minute flurries. But an impressive attack by Shelley and Cheerwine's Kelly Benjamin in the last 600 meters meant Belinda had to cover, and she battled the windy final straightaway, finally closing the gap. It was a massive effort, and Belinda was rewarded with a 4th place finish.
Tulsa Tough: Race Three
With Emma Petersen still recovering, the same crew hit the final day's hilly circuit race determined to crack it open. After several nervous laps with an off-camber hairpin, a break of three escaped, including Susy Pryde. It seemed like the perfect breakaway. With Cheerwine represented, the trio's gap extended steadily. Susy picked up the large cash prime of the day, and it was starting to look like the break was going to stick.
However with 8 laps remaining, Advil's Jen McRae starting an onslaught of attacks, which enticed the field to chase and weld the group back together. Despite Lauren's work at the front, it was team Gruppo-Compacto, and a Cheerwine counter ensued. Ali and Belinda unfortunately missed the counter, and the field seemed broken. Belinda tried to bridge but was caught, and Susy countered again and was also reeled back in. In the final sprint, Belinda finished third, placing her fourth again in the race.
SAN JOSE MEMORIAL DAY CRITERIUM CALLS BELINDA TO CHARGE
May 26
Memorial Day found the JAZZ™ Apple Cycling team still in San Jose, California where they dodged the smoke screen from nearby wildfires and delivered yet another win – this time for young Belinda Goss. Team captain Susy Pryde lead out Belinda for two points sprints, or “primes,” which she secured handily, and Emma Petersen for one, which she also claimed with relish. Ruth Corset had a couple of good nudges off the front but was chased down every time by the hungry Peloton.
The course required a team strategy, due to persistent winds, and because the corners were very wide and very gentle (almost non-existent) making for quite fast cornering in a big pack. Emma and Susy lead out Belinda at last, and Belinda delivered with an exciting Win!
RUTH ROCKETS THROUGH MT. HAMILTON ROAD RACE
May 25
JAZZ™ Apple’s own Ruth Corset won the prestigious and very challenging Mt Hamilton road race on Sunday, May 25. The course always calls for the best climbing legs one can muster, and nothing short of a nifty pair will suffice with the 35km hill. (It's enough to cause leg cramps just thinking about it!)
Ruth shot early from the group, which had suffered damage over the preceding 9km hill climb, and took the Queen of the Mountains honors with a full minute and a half lead. Ruth was caught by a group of eight after the 20 minute descent, which included Alison Shanks. Left shortly behind were Susy Pryde and Lauren Ellis, and unfortunately they could not regain contact. However Ali executed a polished lead-out for Ruth on the uphill sprint, and Ruth won the race by more than two bike lengths!
JAZZ APPLES DEBUT AT MT HOOD CYCLING CLASSIC
May 13 - 18
The 2008 JAZZ™ Apple Cycling Team made their season debut at the Mount Hood Cycling Classic in Portland, Oregon May 13. After traveling across hemispheres and getting settled in with local host families, the athletes looked forward to the weekend's racing with hungry anticipation.
Oregon's Mt Hood Cycling Classic was deemed one of the toughest on the rider’s North American schedule. And it seemed all the more so after landing from New Zealand, having spent a furious week getting ready for a prolonged North American tour. The riders looked forward to varied and exciting challenges ahead – including the North American race schedule, as well as the Junior World titles, track world cups and a little thing called the Olympics.
Despite the long travel and the general “turned upside down” feeling, Alison Shanks turned out a sterling performance in the Mt. Hood prologue, finishing second, just three 100ths of a second behind Tibco's Jo Kiesanowski. Emma Petersen, Ruth Corset, Lauren Ellis, Belinda Goss and Susy Pryde all placed mid-field, with Portland's cold and slick conditions being the talking point post-race.
Read about the prologue on VeloNews.com
Stage One:
This was a timed, one hour event on Mt Tabor in downtown Portland, and it wasn't one for the flatlanders, as the course either pointed directly up or precipitously down hill. After Alison's fine showing in the prologue, she was awarded the green sprinter's jersey and called to the line. This was a handy advantage as the start was mid-way up a 1.3km hill. During the race, Ruth and Susy were well positioned, and with two to go launched Ruth from the pack. The field split but rejoined before Ruth attacked for a second time. Unluckily, she was chased down hard and recaptured by the Peloton in the final lap. The stage was won by Tina Pic of Colavita.
Stage Two:
This stage proved that Mt. Hood really is the domain for climbing demons. A challenging 30km course with a simple profile, straight up for 15km and straight down for 15km with three attempts at the hill. The mercury didn't help, as the temperature changed dramatically overnight from 8 degrees C to 35 degrees C. Ouch! With “Queen of the Mountains” points available on every lap, Susy led Ruth out for the first sprint with Ruth taking second. From that lap onward Ruth contested the QOM taking points to place her second on the standings. Attrition was the name of the game today, and Ruth played the game well to lay down the decisive move with 1.5km to go, decimating the remaining riders. Unable to stave off the others, Ruth finished with the leaders, and Susy was not far behind. Emma and Belinda were unable to finish, and Ali and Lauren soldiered in to finish the day's task.
Stage Three: 29km Individual Time Trial over a very hilly parcours.
Ali posted a very creditable time after having an active day previously, finishing 15th in the end. Ruth was in her element on the climbs, but her light weight frame lost momentum quickly on the descents, causing her to lose valuable minutes and seconds. Ruth finished 30th and Susy 34th.
Stage Four: 130km with a long 40km climb to the finish on Mt Hood.
The day began toasty and progressed in that general fashion. Ruth was on fire in the QOM's during the stage, and with Susy's help secured second overall in that competition. Ruth sprung up the final climb to finish 8th, and Susy was 2:35 seconds behind.
Ali had the bad luck prize of the day. Puncturing at the most inopportune time, whereby a long, open and very fast descent followed, Ali found herself in a very disadvantaged, isolated position. It spelled a long 110km on her own, yo-yoing with a small group of three riders. A tempestuous knee prevented Ali from putting in her full effort, and Ali soldiered through to finish a BIG day.
Stage Five: Hood River CriteriumBy this stage we'd worked out the formula; all stages followed a general straight up and straight down pattern, including the Criterium. Ali decided to rest her knee and not start and so it was Ruth and Susy tackling the final day as a two-some. Despite being active throughout the second stage of the race, the pair couldn't expose themselves to any long lasting breaks and finished with the diminished lead group.
New JAZZ™ rider Ruth Corset earned second place overall in the Queen of the Mountains points competition and finished 16th overall, while team leader Susy Pryde finished 29th overall.
Genuine thanks go out to outstanding host families, Joan and Marty and Randy and Kae. Their hospitality is second to none.
