Triumph In Sonora
Posted on Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Results: Brian Buchholz (1st) Andy/Jesse Mendonca (4th)
The stage was set for a strong BPG showing at the 2007 Wards Ferry Road Race, a 61 mile hill fest (5, 12 mile laps) nestled in the foothills of the Sierras on the outskirts of Sonora. 2 years previous Christian Kearney placed 2nd (1st loser) at this race and only last year,
one of BPG's new and strongest riders, Brian Buchholz also placed 2nd. Between the 4 BPG riders who showed up to battle amongst the farmlands of Sonora: Andy Mendonca, Dennis Guikema, Christian Kearney and Brian Buchholz, all vowed to right this wrong.
From the start Andy and Dennis rolled to the front to cover the first attacks of the race. It seems all were itching to make this short race grueling from the get-go and the pace was brisk up the first climb, 1 mile into the race. Shortly after Christian punctured and found himself changing a wheel at an in opportune time. Kevin Klein and others began hammering the front as Christian tried in earnest with cold legs and a racing heart to chase back on to a hot race on rolling terrain. Meanwhile, Andy got in the first break of the day that was brought back shortly before the end of the first lap. Brian countered; only Kevin Klein managed to get up to him. Game was officially on! Well, unfortunately not for Dennis, who struggled with the nasty steep climb near the finish, and Christian who was still chasing, and majority of the peleton whom were scattered amongst the hills of the Sierras gasping for air and more wattage.
Andy settled into covering dangerous attacks and slowing the chasing field as best one teammate can do on his own. Brian and Kevin Klien hammered out a nasty pace that many in the peleton tried to match, but none could bring back.
On the final lap the gap stood around 2 minutes. Andres Gil (Pacific State Bank) and Jesse Moore (Cal Giant) were able to extricate themselves from Andy's clutches and what was left of the field with a 20-30 second gap. But on the roller just before the open descent, Andy launched a massive big ring attack and closed it solo, and almost immediately. Now Andy was ready to work.
In the end, Kevin Klein could not shake Brian on the course and fell victim to his thunderous sprint. Andy unleashed his sprint and was nipped on the line by the savvy Andres Gil.
The stage was set for a strong BPG showing at the 2007 Wards Ferry Road Race, a 61 mile hill fest (5, 12 mile laps) nestled in the foothills of the Sierras on the outskirts of Sonora. 2 years previous Christian Kearney placed 2nd (1st loser) at this race and only last year,
one of BPG's new and strongest riders, Brian Buchholz also placed 2nd. Between the 4 BPG riders who showed up to battle amongst the farmlands of Sonora: Andy Mendonca, Dennis Guikema, Christian Kearney and Brian Buchholz, all vowed to right this wrong.From the start Andy and Dennis rolled to the front to cover the first attacks of the race. It seems all were itching to make this short race grueling from the get-go and the pace was brisk up the first climb, 1 mile into the race. Shortly after Christian punctured and found himself changing a wheel at an in opportune time. Kevin Klein and others began hammering the front as Christian tried in earnest with cold legs and a racing heart to chase back on to a hot race on rolling terrain. Meanwhile, Andy got in the first break of the day that was brought back shortly before the end of the first lap. Brian countered; only Kevin Klein managed to get up to him. Game was officially on! Well, unfortunately not for Dennis, who struggled with the nasty steep climb near the finish, and Christian who was still chasing, and majority of the peleton whom were scattered amongst the hills of the Sierras gasping for air and more wattage.
Andy settled into covering dangerous attacks and slowing the chasing field as best one teammate can do on his own. Brian and Kevin Klien hammered out a nasty pace that many in the peleton tried to match, but none could bring back.
On the final lap the gap stood around 2 minutes. Andres Gil (Pacific State Bank) and Jesse Moore (Cal Giant) were able to extricate themselves from Andy's clutches and what was left of the field with a 20-30 second gap. But on the roller just before the open descent, Andy launched a massive big ring attack and closed it solo, and almost immediately. Now Andy was ready to work.
In the end, Kevin Klein could not shake Brian on the course and fell victim to his thunderous sprint. Andy unleashed his sprint and was nipped on the line by the savvy Andres Gil.
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