It's been an exhilarating couple days for members of Trek Red Truck Racing. BC Superweek is in full swing, and the shock of daily racing is beginning to manifest itself in the form of sore legs and tired bodies.
Today is a well-deserved rest day after the Tour de Delta. Riders spend the day resting, maintaining their legs, and mending any battle wounds sustained over the weekend.
The racing has been fierce, setting a precedent for days to come, but TRT is more than up for the challenge. Early success on both the men's and women's squads have meant lots of exposure for sponsors, and a seat at the table as they go head-to-head with continental and pro-continental teams.
Here’s a recap of the action to date:
Friday, July 6 - North Delta Criterium
Racing kicked off at 6:30 PM with the Pro Women, both Canadian and American phenoms, and several Olympians topping off the ranks. Callie Swan got a start line call-up after having a great showing at this year's road nationals.
Young guest rider Sarah Van Dam, put on an impressive show during her first BC Superweek event, slugging it out in the bunch after the race was shattered on the hilly circuit. Ultimately it was Michele Schaeffer ('Lil Docta Schaef') and Callie Swan who were able to hold on until the end, both finishing in the bunch, respectively.
The men's race was a chaotic one. Eager to enter the course, riders were seen swarming the barricades before being allowed to enter. A minor crash ensued as riders pushed their way to the start line. The peloton hit spectacular speeds on the North Delta box course. TRT men weren't shy about animating the race with early attacks, even getting up the road at points halfway through the race. A major crash on the last lap of the race made for a hectic finish. TRT made it through without injury.
Saturday, July 7 - Ladner Criterium
The Men's Cat 3/4 race was the first to see TRT action on Saturday. I was the sole red jersey in the pack of around forty riders. My race saw attacks right from the gun, but with such a small field and lots of independent riders in the mix, there was little in the way of cooperation to chase.
I did a lot of work early on making sure breaks didn't get too far up the road, but was content to have some of the stronger riders cooking off the front. I attacked going into the final lap and managed to get a gap in the last few hundred metres. The pack caught me at the line, but I still held on for second place.
The Pro Women's race was next and TRT fielded a fierce women's squad. Holly Simonson ('Huck It Holly') found herself in an early break with big names after she contested a prime. She later went on to win a $150 with six laps to go. Callie Swan was the fifth U23 to cross the line, and Holly Simonson was the sixth.
The small Ladner circuit was packed during the Pro Men's race. Over a hundred riders lined the start line; likely a contributing factor in yet another crash-heavy race. Al Murison could be seen brandishing a wheel imprint in his back later that evening. Chris McLeod was the top TRT finisher with a 9th in U23 and twenty-fourth overall.
Sunday, July 10 - White Spot UCI Road Race
TRT women made their way onto the main stage for team presentations shortly after 9 AM. U23 Provincial Champion Holly Simonson received her first UCI start line call-up. Teams were content leaving the race to a final sprint. A solo breakaway stayed up the road for a few laps early on. The TRT ladies formulated a leadout in the grand finale but were ultimately overrun in the final few hundred metres.
On the men's side, Kyle 'Buck Wild' Buckowsky bridged up to a daring attack on the first lap, joining a strong rider up the road and immediately making significant time on the peloton. The duo was later met by strong representation from the likes of Rally, Silber, H&R and more. The breakaway of eleven strong established itself up the road until halfway through the one-hundred and fifty-five-kilometre race. Sprint favourite, Al Murison, suffered a significant crash while rejoining the peloton after a wheel change. Al was examined by paramedics and fortunately did not require a trip to the hospital. Jay Lamoureux, Chris McLeod and Kyle Buckowsky finished in the pack.