Dana Point Criterium

First off was the Shimano's kits race -they had over 300 tough little competitors! David and I looked at the start and we knew we where under prepared . . . calling for help, the Shimano pit-crew came to our rescue and helped us hand out LIVESTRONG wristbands to every competitor. If you have never seen a kids race, where 300 kids are coming at you, it's like herding cats trying to get everyone a LIVESTRONG wristband -the kids love their wristbands, it's like winning a gold medal only yellow.

Was a tribute race to a fallen rider, Jorge Alvarado, who died while on a training accident 2-days prior to the race. He was hit and killed by a 18 year old, who was street racing; per news reports. The race started with a one minute of silence an a one lap parade lap -it was very heart felt and moving.

Dana Point was a wide open course with 5 right corners and 1 left, the street was lined with people cheering on their favorite rider or team or just cheering in general. One house even had a jumbo Tran set up in their front yard show casing the race, a band and a BBQ -now that's style!

Small breakaways made inroads ahead of the peloton throughout the 90-minute affair, but none were able to stick to the finish -the team was active in chasing down breaks. Roman van Uden was in a small break midway through the race but was unable to make anything stick. The guys took turns going after Primes, Patrick Bevin was able to take Ivan Damengus at the line for a $200 Prime -caught Ivan looking the wrong way; see image above -Image from Podiuminsight.com (thanks Lyne!)

The most promising move of eight riders went away with 32 minutes remaining and included Roman van Uden of Rubicon-ORBEA along with Cantwell and Ken Hansen (Team Type 1). The group never meshed and the peloton absorbed them three minutes later.

Soren Petersen (Hagens Berman) nearly stole the show with a late solo move from a break of five riders; he stayed away, collecting primes for five laps, but the bunch was groupo compacto with four laps to go.

Soon after Petersen was caught, a crash of some 30 riders at the front of the peleton split the field and with no free laps within five of the finish, a group of approximately 40 came to the line for the finale. We lost both Mike Northey and Roman vanUden to this crash, Roman suffering the most damage as x-rays showed later, he would be out 4 weeks with a cracked left elbow.

The officials attempted to slow the remnants of the peloton through the crash scene with three to-go, the front group continued to drill the pace and Rubicon-Orbea's Bevin only was able to move up and take 11th place.