Top Gear cyclists powered by Calgary Cycle, were in Whitefish Montana on the weekend of June 12/13. There was a hiatus of events in Alberta this weekend before the upcoming Banff Stage Race, so 3 of the Cat 1/2 Men drove into the US from Calgary to compete and continue the early season representation. The 3 of us were Dallas D-Rock Morris, Mic Michael Davis, and Anthony Nails Steenbergen.
The weather was totally bluebird sky's for the annual tradition of the Great Northern Stage Race. A two day, 3 event Road Race that features a morning Criterium, an afternoon Individual Time Trial, and a Sunday Circuit Race.
After recent success in Alberta at the long standing Pigeon Lake Road Race, where Top Gear took Top Honours in both Mens and Ladies Category 1/2, some unfamiliar action in the USA would be just the scene to prepare for racing against some unknown riders in Banff, and the coming Canadian National Championships.
So... with an early morning to register in downtown Whitefish, we saw some Pro Team cars driving up, some Idaho area Club and Team vans, and 4 Cat 1/2 Men on the Lonovo Team, Sponsored by Subaru, from Seattle. Other area Teams included Missoula Montanta's ' Team Advanced Pain Centers, and from Kalispell, the eXergy Sponsored Team.
We knew we were going to have our hands full in the Criterium against the full train Teams. But as the race went on Anthony and Dallas were able to each win respectively, two of the four Top Prize Race Primes. Being recognized in the Crowd was cool as we were a few of the 'unknowns'.
The Individual Time Trial left the 3 of us a little bit in the dark, as due to our small car travel arrangements, we were unable to bring all the TT Speed Weaponry Bikes and equipment that would allow us to perform at the Top level. So with aero Clip-On bars mounted to our road bikes, we did the best we could on the flat but twisting course and but managed to stay in the top half of the field, against many of the fully Aero TimeTrial bike guys.
Anthony and Dallas now down 1:24 and 1:42 in GC going into the Road Race, our main focus was to race hard, cover the other 'organized teams, and do our best to capitalize on any breaks.
... When the race whistle went, 12 laps of 8km, a 5 man break got away nearly immediately and that left us working hard and waiting for some of the other smaller Teams to start working towards bringing them back. That break stayed away for just about half the race, and eventually we were all together again. With a couple easier laps now to rest up in the near 30 degree heat, the Pace really started to pick up again near the last 3 laps and Anthony was able to make a sneaky get away into a 6 man break that solo'd towards the last lap. Anthony working hard was able to take a Top 5 in the Podium with 4th in the Road Race in the final Sprint.
All in all Mic got some great training in his first visit to the USA, and Team Top Gear did well making some small wins and a final Podium in the Road Race.
Great weekend, great weather, great racing.
