The Courtesy Bicycles Race Team riders did a fantastic job although we were outnumbered and strategy was the ordine del giorno. Our riders Seth Makotoko, Aljonn Lacerna and Katrina Pawley Mason raced in the first race tonight and represented us most excellently. All three raced in the first race and the guys working to defend Seth's lead for the series and Katrina doing likewise in the girls youth group. Dave Muzzati also raced in the B race but the rest of us (yes that means George!), just didn't come to race.
While George may have been able to race against these kids, and maybe not, it's an image from the 2011 Ciociaro Club Kids Cycling Program found in the Windsor Star (http://www.windsorstar.com/Gallery+Windsor+Pictures/5267539/story.html). Katrina is in the race and the other kids are also up and comers, maybe more recruits to our team!
Anyhow, our race was blah, blah, blah.......The group quickly jumped hard and the field split apart quickly. Among the first group of casualties was Katrina. Aljonn was in the next wave of riders to get dropped although in his form, he recovered and eventually got back into contention. Seth had to work really hard to stay with the leaders because it was a 'take-no-prisoners' type of race....Ouch!
Well, Katrina raced most beautifully and kept her cadence high, working with a few other riders and using it as a training race before her big trip (you'll have to ask her). She managed to ride smoothly and was happy about her own performance, as was the crowd as she received a strong show of support in her final sprint. Yes, she still sprinted into the finish in true champion form.
Aljonn and Seth pushed hard in the race, and were pushed hard back. Aljonn pushed hard to regain and Seth pushed hard to maintain. Seth even got a few good picture moments in the race, being at the front while passing the larger than normal crowd of spectators.
Seth setup nicely for the final sprint, finding his lane and zooming to a hard-earned third place in the race. Seth managed to maintain his lead in the overall series but the overall winner will likely be decided in the last race.
Aljonn managed to finish sixth and it was pure determination that carried the day for him. If he could only bottle some of that and share it with the rest of us (yes, that does mean George).
Congratulations to the Courtesy Bicycles Race Team on an excellent race. Pics to follow....
See, it's not easy when the other teams are so big.....
Full results at: Ciociaro Cycling Club