U of Arizona Crit

Some pictures of the event are below but I wanted to comment on it more, as I find it to be the most fun race of the year. I did this the other day but my computer decided to suck and not put it up. So here is attempt number two.

Why the best event? Well is starts at a normal time in morning like 9am first of all, second it's in our back yard and we can ride to the start, and third these are streets that we know like the back of our hands, and lastly it is easy to get friends, family, and supporters there to enjoy the event.

The junior race started at 9am with about 25 kids starting ranging in ages 9-18. El Grupo was able to bring out 7 riders, Yuma had about 15, and then there were a few more. It was super fun to see such a big group. They all started together and from the gun four kids were off the front Max, Logan, Kramer, and Rodrigo from Yuma. These four rode the first four laps together until Kramer made a few slow turns, because of this he fell ten seconds back of the leaders. Behind them Conner was leading a back of 6, 5 of whom were Yuma riders. Donovan was just behind them with Milo figuring out where he was and Avery chasing his competition.

After a few more laps Kramer was still ten seconds back riding in his own time trial basically, Max and Logan were still at the front with Rodrigo and they were doing some great battle. Max would create gaps, Rodrigo would be unable to chase, so Logan would then try and get away too but Rodrigo would hold onto Logan. So Rodrigo was holding on with Logan having to do all the catch up work. I tried to communicate to them to make Rodrigo work but this was their race with this kind of competition so they were learning on the pedal. Behind Conner had dropped half his group but still had two Yuma kids on his tail as Donovan and Milo kept chasing. By this time Avery had caught his competitor and they were in a dog fight both watching each other.

By the last laps Logan was exhausted of chasing and Max won easy in a sprint. Rodrigo was able to finish second and Logan was pooped and came in third over all. Kramer finished fourth at this time about 20 seconds back. Not bad having done all the work himself. The cruelest moment came at the end of the race with Conner. He had pulled kids around the whole race, put himself in a perfect inside position for the sprint, and then his foot came out of his pedal and he was passed by his two pursuers.

Donovan and Milo came in by themselves happy and pooped, and Avery had a very exciting finish. He was neck and neck at the finishing strait but his competition sprinted away and got him at the end. A very exciting finish.

Thanks to all the parents that came out to support, all the riders that come out to cheer their teammates, all Grupo friends who came out to be supportive.

Thanks Tucson
Ignacio