This last weekend Nigel Ellsay competed with the Cycling BC Juniors at the Tour of Walla Walla in rural South-Eastern Washington. It was the first time this year the juniors had competed together as a team and ended with big learning curves yet great results… Friday’s 42 mile road race proved to take a toll on all athletes, with many ending up leaving with hyperthermia. Fortunately, all the Cycling BC Juniors stayed out of trouble and finished well. Many athletes found themselves in short-lived breakaways, well representing the team. A little over halfway through, Nigel Ellsay found himself 2nd at the KOM sprint, gaining valuable time bonuses. After the KOM the race settled down for everyone except the boys in red and blue (of Cycling BC) as they kept hammering the field with attacks. Many team members found themselves in moves during this part of the race. But by 3km to go, at the bottom of the days major climb there remained 2 breakaway members charging 45 seconds ahead of the group. But not wanting to admit defeat, Jeff Doyle and Nigel Ellsay screamed up the mountain side to bring back the group. Unfortunately, though the boys could only bring back 1 of the breakaway members with the other finishing 10 seconds up. But with a good lead out, Adam de Vos managed to pull out a 6th place finish. Saturday morning’s race was a 9.2 mile TT loop, with flats, a 1 mile climb, 1.5 mile descent and a finale of flats. This course proved to be an excellent style for Nigel Ellsay, as he won the event by 11 seconds, putting him 42 precious seconds into the lead. Later that afternoon the athletes competed in a 40 minute downtown Walla Walla criterium. After sporting the yellow leader’s jersey to the starting line, Nigel and his teammates hurriedly clipped in and raced along the fast, windy downtown roads. After covering many breakaway attempts, all athletes ended up winning at least one prime each. But that wasn’t it for the boys in blue and red. With 3 laps to go teammates Jeff Doyle, Geordie Morrison and Nigel Ellsay all made strong pulls to keep at bay break-away attempts that might interfere with Adam de Vos’s leadout. Then in the final straightaway, Nigel Ellsay hammered along the outside bringing up de Vos to the grand finale. De Vos pulling out an exceptional 3rd place finish. After many ice baths the Cycling BC team lined up to the Sunday race course line still sporting the yellow leader’s jersey, and with the main goal to protect it at all costs. The hard course would suit the team, with 4 major climbs and 2 smaller hills. For the first two thirds of the race the Cycling BC team did everything possible to reel in breaks and have a person up the road. But by the last third of the race, Ellsay was by himself, besides a couple of cracked team members. With 40 kilometers to go everyone in the top 10 of GC seemed to instantly realize that they needed to be up the road and gain valuable time to move themselves up the GC list. Fortunately though, the furry of attacks only lasted up till 15 kilometers to go, when most people realized they couldn’t take over the top spot on GC. The race would then end with a bunch sprint of 30 riders, with Ellsay securing his GC win by approximately 40 seconds.

Cumberland XC- Andrew

I also raced Cumberland on Sunday. It was a super fun course, with lots of rooty, muddy, technical sections and also some fun descending. I had probably my best race so far this year, and finished 4th in Intermediate Men. I had an awesome time despite the weather and I'm hoping to just keep improving every race!

Andrew G.

Vancouver Island Cup #5: Cumberland

Today the fifth Vancouver Island Cup race took place in Cumberland. There were quite a few people there from the team which was great to see. The trails were muddy and the rain came down constantly. I raced Intermediate Men and placed first. The race went fairly well besides tons of mud in my eyes and some leg cramps on the second lap.

Fraser

Vancouver Island Cup #4: Snowden

I raced this last weekend in Snowden, which was the fourth Vancouver Island Cup, but the first race I was able to make it to. I had a fairly good race and placed first in Intermediate Men. Although the course didn't have very many good places to pass it was fairly fast which made for a fun ride. Luckily the rain held off for the most part so we didn't get wet and muddy this time. Amanda has already posted the photos below.

Fraser

Spring Series Stage Race - April 2 and 3

The Grants headed over to Langley for the last Spring Series race. The stage race began on Saturday morning with a criterium. It was a pretty standard 1km 4 corner course, but it did see a casualty early on in the youth race. Unfortunately, Mark got behind the wheel of an inexperienced rider who hit a wheel and crashed right in front of him. Mark went down and paved the road with his face. Thankfully, he only suffered road rash and a sore wrist. James was luckily out of the crash and continued on to place 2nd. Andrew, racing in the B category to qualify for the Western Canada Summer Games, stayed with the pack for about 5 laps before falling off. He finished strong in the chase pack.

Saturday afternoon saw the Grants, minus Mark, lining up for the 12km TT along River Rd. Fighting a headwind on the way out meant a fast return.

The Road Race on Sunday was successful all around. Andrew joined the large B field and rode his first 110km race. He stayed with the group until the last 2 laps, when he strained his quad muscle, but he finished the race. Steve had his best race of the year, finishing in the group and placing well after 8 laps(63km). James won his race after breaking away with 4 other people and sprinting them for the win after 4 laps(31km, giving him the Omnium GC in the youth category. Mark, the photographer and cheerleader, kept in high spirits. Aside from Mark's crash, the weekend was successful, and a lot of lessons were learned.

Snowden

A few Pictures from the Snowden Forest, Campbell River #4 Island MTB series Race. Thanks to Catherine Ullstrom (Fraser's Mom)

Team did AWESOME in Campbell River!! Fraser won intermediate men, Andrew Brown got 4th?? in Elite Men with Dave Damery, Glenn Wakeling and Jeff Beeston also finishing up super strong in the Elite Mens Field.

Above: Fraser Ullstrom and Glenn Wakeling

Below: Jeff Beeston

Above: Andrew Brown

Below: Dave Damery

Above: Fraser Ullstrom

Below: Glenn Wakeling

Above: Andrew Brown