This past weekend we raced the California Bicycle Racing criterium in Dominguez Hills, CA. This was the first CBR / JL Velo Dominguez Hills # 1 of 7 criterium of the year, which brought many professional and strong Category 1 and 2 riders. With a talented field, this made an average speed of 27 mph.
Within the first 10 minutes, the field made plentiful of attacks and counter-attacks. With the help of my SoCalCycling.com Team teammates, Chase Goldstein and Ben Bertiger, who covered moves. Around the 15 minute mark, I recognized that there was a selection of 6+ quality riders up the road. This included Innokenty Zavyalov, Tyler Locke, Brian McCulloch, Imeh & Ama Nsek and a few others.
My SoCalCycling.com Team teammate Chase Goldstein attacked and bridged with a couple of other riders, but was caught by the peloton. With the breakaway up ahead, it contained riders with high potential in winning; the urge to bridge across was crucial. When I bridged two other riders came along. However, we couldn’t get too comfortable.
Joining the group Innokenty attacked which Tyler followed. I covered the move creating a breakaway of three. That didn’t last long because less than a lap later, Justin Williams and Imeh Nsek bridged making a five-man break. This breakaway worked cohesively together until the final 15 minutes. The breakaway had different goals and we were no longer working as a unit.
With an organized field chasing and the breakaway falling, we were caught and the race was re-shuffled. With a few last minute counter attacks. Ben and I did our best to position Chase for the best opportunity possible in order to get a result.
The race ended in a sprint finish resulting with Cory Williams coming in 1st, Tyler Locke in 2nd and Charon Smith in 3rd. Chase Goldstein, representing the SoCalCycling.com Team, placed 8th.
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SoCalCycling.com, Jenson USA, Bottecchia, Voler Apparel, Clif Bar, FSA, Gizmo Cycling, Union Sport, Hyundai San Sebastián, ROL Wheels, TRP Brakes, Caravan Canopy, KMC Chains, Bell Helmets, Echelon Design, ROKA, Larsen’s Restaurants and SCC Slick Chain Lube.
Visit SoCalCycling.com’s Event Calendars for upcoming Road Events, Mountain Bike Event & Gravel Grinders and Fun Rides & Gran Fondos throughout the season for great cycling events.
Report & Video by Leo Bugtai, SoCalCycling.com Team
Photo by Frank Sarate, SoCalCycling.com
