The SoCal race season is starting earlier and earlier each year and got started with a bang in Ontario this past weekend with the Ontario Series Grand Prix. The Ontario Series Grand Prix is the first race that makes up a Series of six races in Ontario hosted throughout the season by Pacific Sunset Velo.
The large turnout showed that there were plenty of riders eager to get the 2013 race season underway, with over 800 riders showing up to race in the frigid early morning conditions. Frozen water bottles and cold legs were a factor in the early races when the temperature hovered at a toasty 27 degrees, but most riders didn’t mind once they got into the rhythm as the races got underway.
Noticeably missing from the days events were the Women’s 1-3 race and Women’s 4 race, which were cut from the schedule of events due to low attendance. They were replaced with a Cat 5 race and Cat 4 race, which were met with good numbers, according to race promoter Ray Moreno.
In the Master’s 35 +, Surf City Cyclery/STERLING BMW’s Charon Smith got the season started with the Team’s first win and it looks like the Team didn’t skip a beat from their 2012 winning streak in the 35+ races. Adding Rob Kamppila and John Wike to Surf City’s roster over the winter should strengthen the Team’s firepower and Charon’s dominance for the 35+ races in 2013.
In the Master’s 45 + race, Bill Harris took home the win for BBI-SIC Cycling, followed by Dave Prechtl (Pinnaclife Racing Team) in 2nd and Dave Bautista (CA Pools/Primal) in 3rd.
The Pro 1-3 race came down to a field sprint with Ryan Schneider (Team Simple Green/Bike Religion) taking the win ahead of Cory Williams (MRI Endurance pb Monster Media Racing), with brother CJ Williams rounding out the podium for 3rd.
Be sure to check out SoCalCycling.com Event Calendars for upcoming Road Events, Mountain Bike Events and Fun Rides throughout the season as your trusted source for great cycling events.
Ontario Series Grand Prix Results >
Photo courtesy Michael Wagner / CLR Effect
Report by Frank Sarate & Christy Nicholson / SoCalCycling.com
