An overwhelming number of racers turned up for Cycling BC’s Road, Criterium and Time Trial Championships last weekend in the Greater Vancouver region. Summer-like conditions and amazing race courses were on tap to challenge the hundreds of racers gunning for the BC Championship Jersey.
The weekend started off Friday night with the BC Time Trial Championships on a rural, flat course in Abbotsford BC. The Elite and Master men and women raced against the clock over the 30 km circuit.
Curtis Dearden, Accent Inns/Russ Hay’s Cycling Team p/b Scotia Bank, was the Elite men’s winner in a time of 37:17:85 while Morgan Cabot, Glotman Simpson Cycling Club, was the fastest Elite woman with a time of 42:29:63.
In the Master Categories, Bill Yearwood was the Master 60+ winner, Brian Marsh won the Master 50 to 59 while Dalton Fayad took home the Master 40 to 49 title. In the Master Women’s category, Carol Quade took the 60+ chanpionship.
Saturday’s BC Road Race Championships took place in the scenic Hatzic Valley on a challenging course in the shadow of the majestic coast mountain range. The Elite Women’s race saw Trek Red Truck Racing riders attack early to form a break which would never be caught. In the end it was Sara Bergen, Trek Red Truck Racing, who was first across the line, and crowned BC Road Champion. Alysia Withers, Glotman Simpson Cycling Club, was the Master Women’s Champion.
In the Elite Men’s race, Trek Red Truck Racing struck again with Dylan Davies, last year’s BC Criterium Champion, now taking home the BC Road Championship title.
The Master Men’s field was the largest BC has seen in years, prompting race organizers to provide a separate start time for their race. An incident at the finish line forced race officials to neutralize the Master Men’s finish. There was no winner declared for the race. Cycling BC will be looking ahead to find a replacement race for the Masters.
Sunday’s finally headed to Maple Ridge for the Town Core Criterium, a course used by Race The Ridge for the past 14 years. This unique circuit is a racer and spectator favorite, and with the high caliber of racers on hand, the large crowd of spectators where thoroughly entertained.
The Elites men’s race saw a break of four get away with three of the major teams represented, Accent Inns/Russ Hay’s p/b Scotiabank, Trek Red Truck Racing, and Langois Brown Racing. The final sprint saw Cody Canning, Accent Inns/Russ Hay’s p/b Scotiabank, take the win and the BC Championship Jersey.
The Elite women’s race was dominated by Trek Red Truck Racing, and the strong team of riders were looking for a top-five podium sweep. Trek Red Truck rider Gillian Ellsay was sent off the front on a couple of occasions, with the last time being able to stay away while her teammates controlled the peloton from bringing her back. With Ellsay easily taking the win, Maggie Coles-Lyster, Local Ride Racing, took the bunch sprint for second to break up the Trek Red Truck dominance.
With Ellsay being a Junior, the Elite Championship Jersey was awarded to her teammate Leah Guloien. Carolyn Russell took the Master women’s criterium titile.
The Master men took to the circuit to do battle in their quest for their BC Criterium title. Greg Inkster, VO2Min took the overall win and was the Master 50+ championship, Maurice Worsfold, Tranquilo Code Sport took the Master 40 to 49 title with Brett Boniface, Fulgas Cycle Club winning the Master 30 to 39 championship.
For full race results from the weekend, visit the links below:
2015 BC Road Championships: Time Trial Results
2015 BC Road Championships: Road Race Results
2015 BC Road Championships: Criterium Results
View our Facebook album for photos from the weekend’s races.
Cycling BC would like to thank Local Ride Racing and its volunteers, City of Maple Ridge, Fraser Valley Regional Distract, City of Abbotsford and all the residents and businesses who accommodated our races in their neighborhoods. Thanks also to their sponsors: Code Sports, Colnago, Catlike Helmets, Cycles Lambert, Epoch Analytical, Power2Max.
Thank you to BBB / Great Western Bicycle for supplying some amazing prizes.
Also a big thanks out to Phoenix Velo Cycling Club and Escape Velocity Cycling Club for working together to provide support in helping to pull off the weekend of racing.
Click here for a message from Richard Wooles, Executive Director of Cycling BC, about the 2015 BC Road Championships.
