CHERRY PIE - PODIUM!

Record numbers in Napa showcase a strong cycling community in the Norcal area
The Proman Women’s Team sees early season success
Independent Fabrication’s Dillion kicks off the season with a promising start

Cherry Pie Criterium
Napa, CA
February 10, 2008

Northern California welcomed the 2008 road racing season today in Napa today with the Cherry Pie Criterium. The day dawned bright and sunny promising warm temperatures for the afternoon. With record entries, the well organized race offered a challenging but fun course to begin the racing year.

First on the docket of races were the juniors; all age groups for both the girls and boys had impressive numbers, clearly indicating that road racing is growing in popularity with all ages. Juniors now have many teams offering tremendous support, including Dura-Ace equipped full carbon bikes, parents patiently holding towels and bottles, and coaches organizing the boys and girls with tactics and tips for making it through the race. It gives one hope to see how many juniors lined up to test themselves, partaking in a sport that is as challenging as it is rewarding.

Team Speed Queen and Independent Fabrication’s Rob Dillion’s race was early in the day yet 107 keen riders pulled up to the line, fired up and ready to rumble. The course was about 2 and a half minute effort each lap with a climb to the start finish and a 180 degree turn immediately following the line.

Dillion got a great start, and with a patient ride as a goal, stayed in the top ten throughout the race. After many attacks, a well organized Z-Team managed to get two riders off the front and working together the two finally cleared the field, opening a gap to 20 seconds. Eventual winner Nathan English finally powered away from his beleaguered teammate, staying clear to win the race as well as the Cycle Gladiator Most Aggressive Award.

The group entered the finish line groupo compacto with a fast rush for the finish line the field fanned out across the road. Jumping hard out of the final corner from fifth wheel back, Dillion powered his way to the line, claiming fourth in the bunch kick and fifth overall.

The Women’s 1, 2, 3 race also had a substantial field, with all regional teams and some national teams well represented. Locals Felicia Gomez (Aaron’s), Kathryn Curi (Webcor), and Brooke Miller (Tibco) all were present and all considered a threat for the win. The Proman Women’s Team fielded 8 riders, including newly signed Virginia Perkins and Megan Guarnier. Using Cherry Pie as a warm-up for the inaugural Women’s Tour of California Criterium on February 18th, Proman’s Director Sportif Giana Roberge had the women race aggressively from the gun.

The race got off to a brisk start with an early race attack by Proman’s Kristin Drumm. Drumm’s 10 second gap lingered for three laps before the Tibco Team with the help of Curi brought Drumm back to the field. Several primes kept the pace high, and despite many attempts to break free from the bunch, it was not until the youngest Proman Team rider Guarnier went for a prime and kept going that anyone was able to break completely free from the fierce pace. Clearing the field by 20 seconds, Guarnier stayed on the gear maintaining an optimistic gap. However, the organization and power of the local teams including the Metromint, Touchstone and Tibco proved to be too powerful for the solo Proman rider, and with three laps to go it was clear that a field sprint was inevitable.

From there, it was the Proman Team taking the reins and organizing a lead-out for Perkins. With the assistance of Drumm and Kristina Seley, Perkins was delivered in perfect placement for a go at the win. Making a run for the line was a very quick Miller from the front, followed closely by Gomez, with Perkins closing in fast. At the top of the hill, it was Miller handily taking the win, with Gomez in second, and Proman’s Perkins finishing in third. Proman’s Guarnier claimed fourth, as well as the Cycle Gladiator Most Aggressive Award.

Next up for both Dillion and the Proman Women’s Team is Valley of the Sun in Phoenix, Arizona. Action kicks off with an Individual Time Trial on February 15th