Hot weather greets riders at Buckeye Criterium

Arizona has been having some great cool weather recently, and around 9 inches of rain thus far this year.  This has made racing in cool weather the norm, and until this weekend we have yet to see heat a factor on the day.  With a high of 96 degrees, most races turned into attrition, and a few breakaways were successful.

Held in Verrado, a master planned community on the north side of Buckeye, nestled in the White Tank Mountains, riders navigated an.8 of a mile course in the Main Street area.  The course had an uphill section prior to the finish area that was just difficult enough to test the riders.  Paired with the hot temperatures, riders had everything they bargained for.

The Pro race ended up being quite exciting, with several breakaways, and Michael Grabinger, Jonathan Parrish, and True Brown lapping the field at the midway point.  With the lead trio leading the remainder of the field, they absorbed other stragglers, except 4th and 5th place riders Eric Marcotte and Sean Mazich who remained off the front for the last bit of the event.

The final sprint proved to be exciting, but Grabinger seized the opportunity and attacked going into the bell lap into the start finish, and had a 5 second gap getting the bell.  Everyone else chased hard, and partially closed the gap, but Grabinger of Pista Palace out of San Diego held on for the win, True Brown of Bicycle Haus nearly closed the gap for 2nd, and Parrish of Kenda Pro coasted in for third.  Eric Marcotte threw down a massive attack on the backside, and rolled in for 4th.

The kids race had nearly the largest field of the day.  Kids and parents from all over Verrado showed up, braved the first hot day of the year and enjoyed the town atmosphere.  Check out the video for more.