Boulder Racing attempts triple play

An attempted triple play by Boulder Racing almost gave the Boulder Valley three races in a row this weekend. The time trials on Friday, and criterium on Saturday worked themselves in between treating rainstorms. However, Saturday night delivered a serve downpour that canceled Sunday’s Koppenberg circuit.

 

The Superior time trial started at 6:00 pm shadowed by ominous clouds building to the east. With the starting line near the Superior shopping center, about 100 individual cyclists were serially started at 30 second intervals. Those who recall the days of the Morgal Bismark race, this 7 mile time trial followed the most challenging parts of the circuit. An immediate moderate climb hit the cyclists upon heading south on McCaslin Boulevard. This was soon followed by the infamous ‘hump’ and ‘wall’. The wall being an accurate description for the road climbing nearly vertical as it meets up with highway 128. Having the most challenging part behind them, the racers continued west on rolling highway with an encouraging downhill toward the finish line near the Marshall open space parking.

 

Surprisingly the weather held through the last rider’s start at 7:20. However, the late starters caught a few sprinkles at the finish, then an unwelcome head wind for their return ride. Overall fastest men’s time was 16:30, capture by Tom Zirbell of team Bissel; overall woman’s fastest time was 16:13, held by Alison Powers of Team Type 1. Complete list of times can be found at Boulder Racing.

Saturdays’ Louisville Criterium began with the same threat of rain weather. Fortunately, the weather held giving riders perfect temperatures in the mid-60’s under cloudy skies. Contrasting the North Boulder Park Criterium from last week, the route in Louisville offered wide, spacious streets through the Centennial Office Park. Riders indicated it was a bit easier than the Boulder Criteium, but is still had it’s challenge of sharp corners requiring keen racing skills. Winners of the men’s pro were first place, Zachary Davies, Team Subaru; second place Alessandro Bazzana, solo; Jeffrey Hartman, solo. Women’s pro winners were first place, Cari Higgins, solo; second place, Melissa Barker, team GS Boulder; third place, Renee Eastman, Natural Grocers. Complete lists of results can be found at the American Cycle Association.

 

Heavy rain Saturday night ruined the 2.5 mile dirt section of the Koppenberg Circuit, making it better suited for the Muddy Buddy. Though the course is partially dirt, participants use road bikes. This particular road softens with rain, causing rutting, thus making a terrible surface to race upon. That, along with the chance of showers being high for the remainder of the day, determined the cancellation of the race. No reschedule date has been announce. Check Boulder Racing for future information.

 

 

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