Stage 17 Racing

With one of the biggest races of the year in our rear view mirror, our schedule does not get any easier. 

Up next for Stage 17 Racing is the Northern California classic, Copperopolis Road Race in Milton, Calif. on Saturday, April 7. This race is known for its extremely rough pavement on its twisting descents. The road is listed officially as fair to bad and riders are instructed to carefully tighten all bolts on their bicycles. This is not simply to make the race sound rough, as every year the race claims riders who would otherwise be the strongest on any other given day to mechanicals and punctures. Our iRT Wheels will be put to the test over the 105-mile course located in a town without a local gas station or telephone. How can you not get excited?

After Copperopolis, the team will head further north, to Chico Calif., for the Chico Stage Race. Chico Stage Race is a two day event located 80 miles north of Sacramento that features three stages of racing in what is normally one of the hottest regions of the state.

The racing begins on Saturday, April 14 with the 90-mile Paskenta Hills Road Race. This race features a 45-mile loop contested over two laps with 4 miles of gravel each lap.

The next day is a split stage begining with the stage two 10-mile time trial out of Chico towards the Sacramento River and back into Chico. Though this isn’t a technical course, the time trial will still help create selections for GC.

The second part of the day is a stage three downtown criterium held in the heart of Chico. The 70-minute race may not win the race for anyone, but finishing safely is key to securing your overall placing. 

Stage 17 Racing is going into both of these races looking for good results after spending a week with the Pro teams in Redlands.

Stage 2|

The team had already spent three days together by the time it was Saturday and the start of the Stage 2 Criterium, so spirits were high before one of the hardest criteriums of the year.

Normally criteriums are stand alone races with a single winner, but when included in the stage race format and increasing the start list to just a hair under 200 riders, the dynamic changes completely.  We knew that moving around on a technical course like the one in Downtown Redlands would be extremely difficult. We also knew that the general classification was close enough that the criterium would be important to stage hunters as well as overall contenders.

Andrew Goessling was feeling strong and it was his birthday so we knew he was capable of a great result for our team in the tight circuit. He is no rookie to fast criteriums and it showed early on as he could be counted among the front of the race on every lap early on.

Andrew fell victim to an untimely crash and needed to take a neutral service bicycle which allowed him to finish the race safely in the pack, but a top result was now out of the question as he gutted through soreness in his hip and shoulder on an unfamiliar bicycle.

When the race was finished, Ben Bertiger proved to be the highest placed Stage 17 Racing rider of the day finishing 60th out of 158 finishers. Ben has shown throughout the year that he is consistent and can be relied upon to be there for his team or to finish off a race for himself. At 18 years of age, we are very motivated by his progress.

Stage 3|

The final stage of the race includes 12 laps around the infamous Sunset Loop just in the hills above Downtown Redlands. The team had only lost one rider, Adam Carr to a Stage 1 crash, going into the final stage of the race, which is a huge success for a team as small as ours. It is a testament to the character and determination of our riders. 

With storm clouds brewing in the west, the race was giving riders mixed emotions as finishing the Redlands Classic is a great feat, however, with the attrition rate expected, it would not be an easy one. Sunday was Rudy Napolitano’s birthday, and a lot can be said for the motivation that comes from riding on your birthday, cyclists have always wanted to gift themselves a great ride on their personal day. Like Andrew the day before, Rudy looked to have the best legs today and set out to make a show for our team among the best the domestic circuit had to offer.

Slippery roads, crashes and ill-timed punctures forced Art Rand and Hunter Grove out of the race before they could make the time cut. Neither was injured and they were not the first victims of the Sunset Loop on the day, nor were they the last.

Ben Bertiger and Daniel Harm spent most of the day in the third group on the road with Daniel Katz following closely behind them in another chase group. Even after the first lap the race had blown up into selective groups. All three of our riders managed to make it eight laps around the loop before being asked to resign for the day. For their efforts their place in GC was secured because they had all reached the time cut.

Meanwhile, up the road, Rudy Napolitano was sitting comfortably in the second group on the road every lap through the feed zone. His group was so selective that it contained the days eventual stage and overall race winners as well as the green and red jerseys. The task of staying with the GC leaders proved too daunting once the main breakaway of the day was brought back into the fold and the GC contenders started attacking the yellow jersey. 

Rudy made it 10 laps before being asked to resign, just two shy of being allowed to enter the finishing circuits in Downtown Redlands. Only 12 riders were left to fight for the stage finish at the end of the day; the rain and wind had take their toll on a field that only finished half of the races original 200 starters. 

We could not be happier about our showing in our first NRC race as a new team. We brought almost our entire team into the last day of racing and finished five out of our eight riders. The experience gained by our young riders will be the most valuable asset for the future of this team and its members. Thank you to the cities of Redlands and Beaumont, race officials, race promoters, all of the volunteers and especially the fans who were there everyday to make this race an outstanding success for everyone involved. We will be back next year, if they will have us.

The team was confident that a top 20 on the stage was not out of the question, especially considering how the team has been riding and connecting so quickly. However, Adam Carr had a rough start, crashing 14 miles in and breaking his bike and pedals.  We were able to get him a set of pedals to use after a lap of limping around, but it was too late and unfortunately will not be able to start tomorrow.

The team proved their mettle against some of the best pros in the country with  Dan Harm always easily located near the front of the field. 

The fourth time of five of up the main climb on the course put major pressure on the field, causing it to split. Art Rand stuck it out to make the lead group. Dan Harm’s flat on lap three and subsequent chase took it out of him for later in the race but he made the second chase group as did Hunter Grove and Ben Bertiger.

Art Rand put himself in a position for a great finish but a front flat in the last few kilometers meant he had to hang onto the back of the group of 40 riders.

159 riders of the original 190 that started will be allowed to start tomorrow, seven of which will be donning Pactimo Stage 17 Racing jerseys.

Tomorrow is a very technical 90 minute criterium that starts in down town Redlands at 4:30 PM.

Tomorrow is also Andrew Goessling’s birthday, so we will look for a special ride from him.

While Stage 17 Racing never came into this race with huge GC aspirations, we knew we had assembled a group of guys who were capable of having a special ride on any day.

Today was Hunter Grove’s day as he pulled out a great TT effort placing himself just over a minute behind today’s winner, Phil Gaimon.

We’re happy to give Hunter, a true U23 rider, the opportunity to ride for Stage 17 Racing this weekend and look forward to what tomorrow may bring for our team on the 120 mile Stage 2 Beaumont Road Race.

Racing begins at 9:10 AM

Beginning Thursday, Stage 17 Racing p/b America West Natural Hazard Disclosures will compete in the Redlands Bicycle Classic with a composite team built on a mix of experience and youth. Though this will be the team’s first year participating in the storied event, we are bringing a team which included riders who are well versed in the Sunset Loop. Stage 17 Racing is also providing an opportunity for young newcomers to compete against the best that the domestic peloton has to offer.

The four day event begins with a short prologue time trial that covers 680 feet of climbing in only 3.1 miles. Stage 1 will feature a challenging 24.1-mile circuit which will be traveled five times for a total is 120.5 miles.

The penultimate day of the event features the viewer friendly Stage 2 Downtown Criterium. This race is a crowd favorite and is certain to live up to expectations. For 90 minutes the streets of Downtown Redlands are closed for the best cyclists in the United States.

Stage 3 is historically the most difficult day of the race, the 94.1-mile Sunset Road Race. On the last day of racing, the riders will race on the infamous Sunset Loop, each one hoping to make the final selection of riders who will finish on the final Downtown circuits in front of thousands of Southern California race fans.

The racing begins in Redlands on March 22nd and continues through the 25th.

Prologue: The Sun time Trial (12:10PM - 3.1 miles)

Stage 1: City of Beaumont Circuit Road Race (9:15AM - 120.5 miles)

Stage 2: City of Redlands Criterium (4:30PM - 90 minutes)

Stage 3: Beaver Medical Group Sunset Road Race (1:30PM - 94.1 miles)

Stage 17 Racing for the Redlands Bicycle Classic is:

Ben Bertiger (Stage 17 Racing) - 19
Daniel Katz (Stage 17 Racing) - 23
Hunter Grove (SC Velo U23) - 19
Andrew Goessling (Team Mike’s Bikes) - 23
Arthur Rand (Marc Pro/Strava) - 27
Daniel Harm (Astellas Oncology Cycling Team p/b ABD) - 28
Adam Carr (EKOI.com - Gaspesien) - 29
Rudolph Napolitano - (Time Factory Team) - 38

America West Natural Hazard Disclosures to serve as team’s co-title sponsor

LAKE FOREST, Calif. (March 19, 2012) – Stage 17 Racing p/b America West Natural Hazard Disclosures, a U23 cycling team owned and operated by STAGE17.ORG, has announced its inaugural 2012 squad and team supporters. America West Natural Hazard Disclosures, a leading provider of natural hazard disclosures, will serve as the co-title sponsor. The team has its sights set on the upcoming Redlands Bicycle Classic.

Stage 17 Racing p/b America West Natural Hazard Disclosures is a team for male cyclists under the age of 23 competing at an elite level in the United States. The team is focused on fostering clean, mature athletes prepared to become the next crop of elite America cycling champions. Stage 17 Racing is owned and operated by STAGE17.ORG, a nonprofit organization created by Michael Roecklein using cycling as a vehicle for promoting a healthy lifestyle and heightened self-esteem in adolescents.

Stage 17 Racing p/b America West Natural Hazard Disclosures made its debut in February at Valley of the Sun Stage Race.  From there, the team headed to the Merco Cycling Classic earning three top 15 finishes and a top five finish at the 120-mile Almond Blossom Road Race.  Last weekend, the team earned a first place finish at the San Dimas Stage Race road race and a top ten finish at the criterium race.

“We could not be more excited to watch what will unfold this season after spending only a few months with our talented young riders,” said Michael Roecklein, team director, Stage 17 Racing. “The common themes expressed throughout training camp were community and teamwork, which extends past our U23 team to being mentors to our Junior program Major Motion Development.”

Stage 17 Racing p/b America West Natural Hazard Disclosures was recently accepted to participate in the Redlands Cycling Classic, one of America’s longest running bicycle stage races, a great honor for a first year team.  In addition to the prestigious Redlands Cycling Classic, Stage 17 Racing will also participate in, but not limited to, Tour of America’s Dairyland, Sea Otter Classic, Tour of the Gila, BMC Cascade Cycling Classic and USA Cycling National U23 Championships.

The 2012 roster includes Alexander Vaughn-Ruiz, Andrew Sjogren, Ben Bertiger, Bryan Larsen, Danny Katz, Steve Larsen and Tosh Clements.  The team will also feature many guest riders in order to expand the opportunities the team can provide riders.

Co-title sponsor America West Natural Hazard Disclosures develops products that are designed to assist all parties in a real estate transaction by communicating statutorily required (and ancillary) disclosureinformation quickly and economically. Its state-of-the-art technology, expertise in cartography, financial strength and nearly 100 years of combined real estate experience make it uniquely qualified to assist with due diligence needs.

In addition to America West Natural Hazard Disclosures, Stage 17 Racing is also proud to be partnered with the following sponsors: TIME, a technological and performance leader of carbon fiber bicycles frames and pedals; iRT Wheels, formed in 2010 with the goal of reinventing the riding experiences of everyone from world-class athletes to the casual rider; Pactimo, providers of high quality custom cycling apparel in five weeks or less; Swiftwick, innovator in designing and producing the best active wear products on the planet; as well as LAS Helmets; 22 Days Nutrition; Podium Legs; Superfeet; Bike Pure; DC Shoes; VeloShine; American Flooring; Bellflower Auto Square Collision and Gibson Law Group.

“We’ve got a wonderful group of sponsors lending their support to the team and we look forward to representing them well in 2012,” added Roecklein. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without them.”

Additional information about Stage 17 Racing can be found at www.stage17.org.

Stage 17 Racing

Stage 17 Racing began over countless hours of conversation on training rides amongst a tight knit group of friends who share a passion for cycling. The talks became focused on creating a place where young athletes can be groomed to become professional adults in environments free of negative influences. Thus the ideals and goals of Stage 17 Racing were set.

Greetings from the Santa Ynez Valley Cycling Club (SYVCC) & the City of Buellton, CA:

We are hosting the third richest prize purse in the state for a crit this March 31st, 2012.

Please print up the flyer, forward this email or whatever you can to help get the word out to all the cyclists you might know who might be interested in racing here. The weather is sure-to-be great, as it always is at the end of March, and the very cycling-friendly expo area will be a big hit. This will look like no other crit you’ve seen because it’s in a downtown not an industrial park. Guaranteed fun for the entire family!

I’ve attached the official race flyer below (PDF) & the P.R. we sent out yesterday. Thanks.

John Padfield
SYVCC




NEWS
For Immediate Release: February 29, 2012
Media Contact: Michael Hecker, Race Director
Email: hecktone@yahoo.com or Phone/Text:  (805) 896-0673
Race Website: www.ridesb.com/avenue-of-flags-criterium.html
 
INAUGURAL CRITERIUM BICYCLE RACES SET FOR BUELLTON ON SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012 FROM 7:00AM-4:30PM
~Free to Spectators; Public Welcome—More Than $15,000 in Cash & Prizes to be Awarded
 
Buellton, California, USA—Presented by the City of Buellton, the non-profit Santa Ynez Valley Cycling Club (SYVCC) in cooperation with SG Productions, the first-ever Firestone Walker Avenue of Flags Criterium is gearing up to roll into downtown Buellton on Saturday, March 31, 2012. According to Race Director Michael Hecker, “Criterium bike racing is held on short courses that take place on temporarily closed-off city streets.  We are thrilled to bring this exciting one-day race to the City of Buellton, gateway to the Santa Ynez Valley.  Criteriums are great for live spectators; you can see the cyclists race by many times as they make the circuit around the historic Avenue of Flags. The public is invited to attend any/all of the entire day of bike racing; and encouraged to participate in the amateur and Free Kids’ Races. There will be a Free Bike Expo, a free Kids Bike Safety Zone and for the adults, a Firestone Walker Brewery tent and an Avant Tapas & Wine tent. We encourage everyone to come out and share this outstanding day of racing in Buellton.”
 
David Walker, co-owner of Firestone Walker Brewery, is excited to be sponsoring this first time event. A local for more than 20 years, he expects a lot of energy and excitement to be infused into the community. “This is the first year of something that could become a landmark on the cycling calendar,” Walker said, “we are excited to be working with the City of Buellton and the Santa Ynez Valley Cycling Club to put this on and making it a great draw for the area. Cycling is a great spectator sport, especially with some tasty local beer in your hand!”
 
Hecker added “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our event sponsors.  We’re very pleased with the awesome support from the City of Buellton, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Avant Wine & Tapas and Platinum Performance, just to name a few of our fine sponsors.  Because of this excellent level of community support, the Firestone Walker Avenue of Flags Criterium is already the 3rd richest one-day race event in the Southern California/Nevada Region. We are very proud of this accomplishment and look forward to expanding the event to a multi-day Pro/Am Stage Race in years to come.”
 
Here are more facts about the Firestone Walker Avenue of Flags Criterium:
 
Start/Finish Line: Second Street at Avenue of Flags (northbound lanes)
 
Route:  0.75 mile L-shaped loop with five right-hand, and one left-hand 90-degree turns.  The course is fast and rolling with a straight, downhill 800-meter sprint finish.  Specific Turn-by-Turn Directions—Begin at Second Street at Avenue of Flags (northbound lanes) heading south;  RIGHT onto First Street;  RIGHT onto Central Avenue; RIGHT onto Second Street; LEFT onto Avenue of Flags South (traveling northbound); RIGHT onto Damasa Road; RIGHT onto Avenue of Flags North (traveling southbound). Finish Line at Second Street and Avenue of Flags.
 
MORE …
Schedule of Races:
Start Time      Race Category (* Indicates SoCal Cup Series Race)
6:00 am           Registration Opens at Start/Finish Line (Second Street at Avenue of Flags)
7:00 am           Men’s Category 5 / Public
7:35 am           * Masters Ages 55+ / 60+ & Woman Cat 4 (scored separately)
8:20 am           * Men’s Category 4 (Presented by Team One Way)
9:05 am           * Masters Ages 45+ Categories 1,2,3,4 (Presented by Central Coast Tire)
9:55 am           * Men’s Category 3 (Presented by the Santa Barbara Bicycle Club)
10:55 am         *  Junior Men Ages 13-14, Ages 17-18 and Women Ages 15-18
11:30 am         Masters Ages 35+ 3/4
12:15 pm           Jr. Men Ages 15-16; Ages 10-12: Junior Women Ages 10-14       
12:50 pm         Ages 30+ Categories 4/5
1:25 pm            Free Kids Bicycle Races
1:55 pm           * Masters 35+  1,2,3,4
3:00 pm           * Professional Women Category 1, 2, 3
3:55 pm           * Professional Men Category 1/2
 
Prizes: Cash prizes for Professional Category cyclists range from $400 to $8,000. Amateur and Kids Race prizes will be a combination of cash, merchandise and/or awards.  Prizes will be awarded within 30 minutes of results being official at the Awards Podium located in the Expo Area near the Start /Finish Stage (Second Street at Avenue of Flags).
 
Expo Participation: Please contact Expo Director Tom Issacson at (805) 451-0785 or oaktree385@hotmail.com or Assistant Expo Director Craig Adams at cradams1@raython.com to receive an Expo Registration Form.  Cost is on $75 (Buellton Chamber of Commerce Members cost is $50) for a 10’ X 15’ space and includes 1 VIP pass.  Additional VIP passes for the day are $35. All details at:http://www.ridesb.com/images/fwafc/Expo-Area-Information.pdf
 
Kids Bike Safety Zone: According to John Padfield, Kids Races & Kids Zone Coordinator, “This is going to be a lot of fun for the whole family!  We’re having two bounce houses, face painting, and other surprise activities geared for the 4-12 year old age group. Kid-friendly cuisine such as grilled hamburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, chips, sodas & water will be available for sale all day. On race day, kids ages 4-12 years are invited to bring their bicycles or tri-cycles to the start/finish registration area by 12:30pm in front of Pea Soup Andersen’s Restaurant on Avenue of Flags. Our volunteers will help kids and their parents/guardians get registered. Prizes include medals for all entrants along with trophies for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place in each race along with a spot on the podium with photo ops. For more details, contact Padfield via email at jp@sbceo.org.
 
Race Registration: On-line registration is available at www.USACycling.org and closes March 29, 2012 at 9:00pm (MT). On-site registration on Saturday, March 31, 2012, opens at 6:00am; and is available for 1 hour before each race and closes 15 minutes prior to each race. Race registration fees are FREE for kids and celebrities and range from $20-$40 for professional cyclists. If participating in more than one race category, additional races fees $15 each.  Late fee of $10 applies to entries received after March 28, 2012. Register online (recommended) or download and mail registration forms (with checks payable to SYVCC) to Avenue of Flags Criterium, Box 1821, Santa Ynez, CA 93460-1821.
 
Technical Support: SRAM Neutral Race Support will be on-site twww.sram.com/sram/road/racing
 
Regulations: All USA Cycling rules apply. Details at www.USAcycling.org/
 
For more information and more details as race day draws closer (including course maps, elevation charts etc), please be sure to visit www.ridesb.com/avenue-of-flags-criterium.html
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