Tour de Concord is always a challenging race, feared by many as the most technical course of any local criterium. As an added challenge, this year’s race took place in the blazing sun during an official heat warning. The Men’s lineup consisted of Aidan, Kolby, Matthew, Caleb, Casey, and Oliver, who all tried their best to stay cool before the race. As the race kicked off, everyone tried to stay near the front as Ribble Rebellion’s five-man squad drilled the pace on the front. Everyone knew the accordion effect would result in a full-gas sprint out of the hairpin every lap if not in the top 10 wheels. Halfway through the race, the heat became unbearable for most of the Red Truck squad, with everyone except Kolby and Aidan pulling out. Two or three Ribble riders had also crashed or pulled out due to the heat. In the second half of the race, splits were happening left and right which we expertly closed down. With only 10-15 riders remaining in the race, Ribble kept it fast hoping to keep Al close to the front to sprint for the win. Coming into the last lap, Kolby was slightly out of position, sitting in around 7th wheel. As the riders came back into sight for the finish, the front runners were all gone, leaving two riders on the front with a gap, and Kolby leading the pack in third. It turned out that the leaders had overcooked the hairpin, bringing down the top four riders. Kolby managed to ride through the carnage into great position, bringing home the sprint for third place. Aidan finished just behind in fifth. Considering the conditions and course, this was a brutal race and we were happy to walk away with a podium. The team is feeling primed and ready to take on Gastown next week!
The women’s team lined up for Vancouver’s fourth annual Tour de Concord. The course consisted of tight, technical cornering and fast straight aways, in 25 degree plus temperatures. The team kept their presence in the front of the group, pushing the pace through the corners. Brenna and Emma fought hard in the heat and finished the race together, while Cynthia, Larissa, and Kathryn stuck with the group and finished the race with a sprint placing 8th, 6th and 2nd!