The Pacesetter Steel Service Cycling Team boys will be out there alongside our dear friends and sponsors, Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge, who are not only founders, but members of UCI Continental Team Type 1, and additionally, they are sponsored by the Tour de Cure.
Team Type 1, whose goal is to prove that by using the tools provided to manage diabetes, exercise and healthy living, a person with diabetes can do the same as a normal person—only better, along with the Pacesetter boys will all be out in full force supporting this ride, cause and all the real champions that we're really riding for.
Please come out and join the fun, or at the very least, make a donation to the ride so that we can all take part in the benefits that Team Type 1 has been shepherding.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Cumming, The day we stole bread.
Cumming GA, part of the Georgia Cup series, but it's a Series 7, which is different than a Georgia cup in that Chris "Pro Tour" Chotas doesn't pay for it. Some of us working folk just don't seem to respect the value of the dollar like we once did. Well, except for Tyler, as he doesn't work anymore - he just trains with a dedication that shrinks the rest of us into our own shadows at times - lest I digress...it's just...that...DEDICATION...
Had we known that this weekend would carry such strife, such social impact, that so very much bacon would not be making it the table by virtue of our own efforts, believe us, we certainly would have thought this out differently.
The day started in our favor, let us be fair about that. Matt McCarthy designed the course specifically for us. We hired him on to the team just to do that, to fulfill one heady requirement; that requirement being..."Design a course that is like a group ride course, but at the same time, isn't". Matt delivered, thankfully, but Matt, things are still the same - Design the right course, or your fired, Matt. Fired.
The suits lined up today, and mighty me, would the suits be picking up the bill. One looked to the other and said "I know you da king of Japan, but I'm here to tell you that I'm a worried worried man" as the course lit up in a fury.
As if the ambush of NRC 137lb'ers on our meager little state series weren't enough, but they were here for our Series 7 as well? Didn't they realize, Chotas wasn't even paying!?!? We weren't supposed to be there that day!
The gun went off, the stick got put full, the wood was laid, you know the euphemisms... and we were under way. Not long into the race, a super troupe of racing troubadours formed and proceeded to proliferate in both number and speed until they were gone. Just gone. Another nail rammed into the coffin, alas, this nail didn't shut the coffin ... it cracked it. The break, as we've heard, were going SO fast that they broke the sound barrier. Like, really. Yes, they broke the sound barrier. At least this is the theory that is supposed to explain why when the official repeatedly told them "NO!!!! WRONG WAY!!! STOPPPP!!!!!", they simply couldn't here him. Damn your eyes Mr. Series 7 Georgia Cup USAC official, this is our race now, and we're doing it our way. Damn your eyes! Give us any chance, we'll take it. Give us any rule, we'll break it. We're gonna make our dreams come true. Doin' it our way.
Or could it have been that us full-time desk jockeys are just simply so bloody accustomed to taking orders, and being held with the accountability of even following them at the odd time or two, that when loud men on motorcycles tell us to jump off a bridge, we call the wife and kids to tell 'em that we love 'em and they'll be just fine?
Regardless, they said tomato, and we said to-mah-to. They said right, and we said left. They said group ride, we said race... If only one of their protégés could have been there to take his moment to shine in that light...
And just like that, the Fantastic 7 was gone.
Tyler was doing the thing that he does, you know, sit on the front and drill it until he sees a flicker on his Power Tap screen (usually signaling the last opportunity to clear the turn without eating gravel), straightening back out, then drilling it again. "Go until you see God, then turn" sorta thing.... And he whittled the group down into a full fledged bloody full time employee pulp. A bunch of damned FTE's...we didnt' know what to do. Tyler led us out twice, but we never could come around him, neither time. That dedication of his is unruly. We had the powder, but not the gun. We had the dog, but not the bun. The clouds, but not the sky. We had the stripes, but not the tie. But we're big in... Having so unscrupulously hogged those ever so valued money spots, the Pacesetter boys put 3 full riders, not 2.5, but 3 in the top 7. Mind you, I didn't say top 8, I said top 7, and if you don't believe me, ask Wes, he was there. He'll even tell you it was top 6, and he might just be right. Tyler took honors again and climbed aboard the podium for us, not so differently than Chaz did the other day in Roswell.
So there you have it. The Pacesetter boys, despite having full time jobs, had the gumption, the audacity, the utter lack of tact, to muddle up those money spots and bring home the bacon on a "pay" play day.
There was an uproar toward the end of the day. Tempers were flaring, words were flying. It was heard that "we stole their rent". Their rent. Who are "they" and what is "rent" I thought to myself. Luckily, Wes spends all day long, while Tyler is out training, in his office hawking mortgages. He was able to explain. Rent, Wes tells me, is the equivalent of a mortgage. We used to pay "rent" back in college, you know, that 4 (5.5) year spell where not a whole hell of a lot is remembered and we're not sure if anyone is still mad at you... then... we paid 175 a month to live in quarters with 8 other dudes... that was rent.
I'd forgotten?
And that, our friends, was the day that Pacesetter stole bread...
For those of you that couldn't make it down to the Dick Lane Velodrome in East Point, GA, Charles Rossignol, our resident trackie, was representing us in style.
Charles came really close to finishing ahead of some really big names in both the Scratch and Kierin sprints. If you've been following Charles' progress on the track over the last couple of years, you'll know that one of these days, he's going to do it. Chaz fared well in most races, but had a momentary loss of situational awareness during the miss-n-out, and came apart in the 60lap points race. Still, he managed 6th place in the omnium based on his sprint points. Not too bad considering the competition that showed up.
- 6th in the omnium - 4th fastest 200TT - 3rd in the Kierin (behind a national and world champion) - 2nd in the Scratch (behind a world champion)
The new team kits arrived just in time for the biggest annual week of Criterium racing for the Pacesetter Steel Service Cycling Team Boys, and, well for that matter, ALL Georgia and Southeastern racers. Man, do they look good, and man, were we ready to show them off!
Athens Twilight
Kicking off with the Athens Twilight, the lads lined up in the amateur qualifier races on the morning of April 26. In the Pro 1/2 qualifier, Chad took second place after some interesting cat and mouse racing when he and former teammate Travis Hagner escaped in a break with TOSHIBA SANTOS pro Daniel Vallaincourt. Newly eligible Masters racer Wes Parrish took a 6'th place with the amongst the ever competitive 30+ field.
In a race marred with multiple crashed and diverse skill levels, Chad went on to take 15'th in the Amateur Finals race in front of approximately 15,000 people in downtown Athens later that day.
Darren and Charles decided to line up with 150 other fellows for the main event at 9pm. Both had done qualifying races in order to obtain the best possible starting position at the Twilight, which is so crucial in a race that is widely known as the fastest criterium in the world. The pace starts at full tilt right from the gun and never relents during the course of the entire event. Exiting each of the four corners requires almost a full speed finishing sprint just to keep the peloton in a single unit, let alone painstakingly advance a position.
Both gave their best efforts but the repeated attacks on the course's only climb sent the boys into deficit, really highlighting the gap between weekend warriors and the guys who do it for a living.
USA Crit Series
Charles and Darren headed down to Beaufort and Walterboro South Carolina to race two more of the USA Southeast Crit Series. Two very technical courses presented themselves and once riders opened gaps in front of you it was next to impossible to close them and stay in touch with the race. Couple this issue with numerous crashes and large teams NRC teams like Kelly Benefit Strategies / Medifast Pro Cycling Team, Colavita/Sutter Home, Health Net Pro Cycling, TOSHIBA SANTOS and Symmetrics Cycling driving the pace – Charles and Darren were happy enough to stay in the races for about an hour building new levels of speed and endurance.
"In the Money"
May 3 was the annual Sunny King Criterium in Anniston, Alabama.
Tyler made the trek to race in the Pro race alongside stacked teams from Jittery Joe's, BISSELL Pro Cycling, Toytal-United to name a few. Incredibly Tyler used his power and tenacity to stay in the race and take 28'th place and some money from the coffers of the big boys.
Earlier in the day, Charles, Darren and Matt McCarthy lined up in the Category 2/3 race. It was an enjoyable day for the guys to race with their peers and be able to control the tempo. It became clear after multiple attempts by Darren and Charles that no break was going to stick so the guys stuck to the plan of getting all three into the top 10. Matt took 4'th, Darren 6'th and Chaz 10'th all finishing "in the money". Maybe a first to have everyone on the team walk with race payouts.
Roswell Historic Crit
Once again there was a category 2/3 race and Charles, Darren, Matt McCarthy, Wes and Chris toed the line. Despite coming back from a week long battle with the flu, Wes rode hard early and got into every move that might have stayed away – the vocal and manic support from his wife and family on the sidelines pushed him to a whole new level and he delivered. Darren tried his hand a few times with Nick Housely from Hincapie Development Cycling, but as is typical in Roswell no breaks were to stick. Chris made a great move with one lap to go bridging to a dangerous move but it all came back with half a lap remaining. It is a long sprint from the last turn but Chaz timed his jump to take 3'rd place with Matt Mc in 6'th and Darren rounding out the top 10 and the last money slot.
At 6pm the Roswell NRC Crit got underway with Tyler joining the lads at the start line, after having done the Pro 1/2 race in Sandy Springs earlier that afternoon! Our new hardman Wes and Matt McCarthy actually refueled on their favorite energy drink and then toed the line, determined not to crash out any pros. Once again the heavy hitting professional teams lined up and we knew survival was the primary order of the day for the amateurs. Darren, Tyler and Charles survived the early surges until 4 pro riders escaped and the bunch relaxed. The pace sky rocketed with 5 to go but Darren and Tyler managed to stay in the race and finish the on that same lap as the leaders for which they can be proud.
On behalf of all the Pacesetter girls and gals, we want to congratulate our lone mountain biking juggernaut, Bill Feier, for climbing to his highest ranking ever in the SERC standings.
One thing's for certain here, the race season only moments ago was just beginning; rest assured, it is now in full swing!
Tyler, Darren, Charles, Chad, Chris, Wes, Matt Mc and Matty Shectman, all headed north to the Georgia Cup Stage Race set in beautiful Chattanooga TN on April 12 and 12. Oxymoronic, we know, but we love Chattanooga, and at one time, we all pretty much shared this area anyway.
Time Trial Saturday morning was a 5 mile time trial. Tyler had a major mechanical on his pre-ride and had to borrow Tres' bike – not an ideal situation for one of our Time Trial specialists but Tyler headed out and did his best, considering there are about 5 frame sizes between what Tyler and Tres would pick off the shelf. This pinned our GC placings on the aspiring low flying missile Matty Shectman, but alas he did not have his Sunday-best leg back from the cleaners yet, so the Pacesetter boys quickly went from a GC focus to becoming stage opportunists. Don't you worry though, we will soon deliver those better Time Trial results that our sponsors and friends have become accustomed to.
Criterium Later that day was the Criterium in downtown Chattanooga on very fast and relatively technical course. The 30 mph wind also played a major role in the race, as it clashed hard into riders while swirling around the high rise buildings making breakaways difficult. It seemed that for 270 degrees of the course, we had a head wind, and for the other 90, a crosswind. This is the fun in racing between the cavernous voids of a downtown...you've got to be quick on your feet. We had the pleasure of meeting Peter Hurley, the CEO of Litespeed Bicycles, which is based in Chattanooga, and thank them for their continued support and providing us arguably the best racing frames available today. Represented in the field (a field that is looking more and more like your regular NRC calendar event) was Toshiba, Jittery Joes, DLP, Team Type 1, BMC and Inferno; indicating that an extremely fast criterium was in store. After a call up to the starting line, the gun went and Darren found himself off the front on the first lap with another rider. In the next lap Brent Brookwalter from BMC decided to take a group of 3 over to Darren and give the break a go. Toshiba which had 8 riders was not interested in letting that move stick and chased it back. The pace stayed high and numerous attacks went off the front often containing Chad to represent Pacesetters, and if not, Tyler worked to chase the breaks back. Early on in the criterium, a very strong break formed with Chad representing the team, but Toshiba wasn't happy with letting it dangle.
Shortly after that break came back, our own Tyler launched himself from the front of the group and held the field at bay for an entire lap, thus sweeping up a prime, utterly uncontested by some of the strongest riders around.
Finally a break with all the pro teams represented, except for Team Type 1, escaped. However, Toshiba realized their man in the break was not likely to win and decided to chase. In a ridiculously fast 10 laps they brought the entire field back together with about 4 laps to go and set things up for the sprint. That pace however was a bit high for some of the amateur riders out there. Tyler and Chad finished towards the front of the race and Darren and Wes finished in the bunch. Unfortunately Matty Schectman had a nasty crash after hitting a manhole cover with some dodgy paving around it. Someone must have moved that little fella during the race, as most riders were able to avoid it in the prior 40 laps.
Road Race Sunday morning we headed out for a 90 mile race on multiple laps of a beautiful 25 mile loop with the exception of Matty S who had a sore arse from his 35mph manhole cover altercation the day before (luckily, no reports of any long term damage, so we'll have him back on the starting line). Early in the race a group of 5 riders escaped the peleton. Toshiba having 2 riders in the top 3 of the overall race were content to ride tempo all day and keep the break at a 1 minute gap until the final lap. Tyler suffered a flat tire and Wes sacrificed his day by giving Tyler his wheel, whilst Tyler was then tasked with burning precious calories bridging himself back up to the group. As expected on the last lap the attacks opened up and the field got split in the strong cross wind section. The Pacesetter guys ended up in the second group but fought hard to bridge back onto the front group before the only major climb of the day. When we hit the climb the pace rocketed and a group of 12 pulled away and stayed away until the finish. That left a disorganized group of about 25 riders chasing which included Chad, Darren, Chris and Tyler. Unfortunately the workload of chasing left Chris and Tyler gassed, but in a solid effort, Charles bridged over to join Chad and Darren in the chase group and thus offered Charles an opportunity to practice his sprint and take a top 20 spot in a long windy road race. Great effort, Chaz!
The race form is coming for the team and weekends like this are making the Pacesetter boys stronger and stronger. The podiums are now a matter of time and limitations of bad luck.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Gainseville, GA Cup, 2008!
Criterium Tyler, Chris, Wes, Matt McCarthy, Matty Shectman, Darren and Charles lined up. Toshiba had 6 or 7 guys and were leading the overall classification along with some other local pros that may or may not have won the Tour of Taiwan.
They (the big teams) essentially strung us out single file 28-30mph for the first 15 minutes and even at that pace 4 or 5 guys, in a brutal show of strength, rode away. We heard later that it contained Frank Travieso (Toshiba), Bobby Sweeting (Toshiba), Mark Heckman (Toshiba) and Oscar Henao (UCL). If you're racing Pro 1/2 at a Georgia Cup, this is about the last thing you want to see happen, or the first...depending on how quickly you do or don't want to light your hair on fire for a harbinger declaring pursuit.
At about 30 laps in, John Murphy (Health Net) decided that this freight train was simply too dangerous to allow any more rope, and thusly proceeded to do he's own little Tommy the Tank Engine impersonation and stab us all through the heart with a gut-full of single file 32mph laps ('bout ten of 'em). Thanks for the motorpacing, John.
Chaz was up in the front of the group most of the day and rode very well, his form is coming and a crit course like this is his forte.
Tyler went for his inevitable attack, because he's Tyler, but by being Tyler, he was marked with great alarm absolutely immediately.
In another impressive move Schectman managed to remove a plastic bag blown onto his pedal and put in his back pocket to avoid further littering through a turn at 30 miles without missing a pedal stroke.
With 10 to go Toshiba moved to front to control the race and set up the sprint finish. The pace sent Chaz into a bit of deficit and ran himself out of gas before having the looming opportunity to unleash his sprint. It's coming, and we can assure you, it will come well.
All Pacesetter men finished a very fast crit setting up things well for when the full time professionals go and race other full time professionals and leave the local racers to duke it out ourselves.
Road Race 'Tis a touch harder to summarize the road race, as with the tactics being played out over a long drawn out course, it's difficult at times to see what everyone is doing.
We know Matty Shectman finished with the lead group after coming back from a puncture in lap 2. We know Matt McCarthly altruistically gave him a wheel and sacrificed his day. Chaz helped Matty chase back to the group. And just to prove that he's coming around, Chotas softened every leg he could find on the climbs.
Tyler finished, which is no surprise. It's Tyler.
The rest of us had burned our matches, fulfilled our duties and retired to start getting ourselves ready for the crit's early efforts.
TT Shechtman and Tyler both top 20. Need we say anymore?
The South Eastern Regional Championship series started last Sunday in Gainesville, Florida at a wicked place called Hailes Trails right next door to a motocross park called Gatorback. The mountain bike course was routed through an old limestone quarry with steep climbs. In some cases you could say we climbed walls as you had to sprint up to them and hang on while your momentum carried you almost straight up. You had to stay on the pedals or lose speed and slide back down the wall. They were real energy burners. The majority of the course was full of climbing and tight twisty trail. My first lap was faster than expected, then I lost a few minutes on the second lap as the 84 degree heat started making itself known. The 3rd and final lap was better and I got my speed back. The race brought back that familiar pain of a 100% effort and when the race was done, I had 11th place and felt like I need to work on my aerobics, but the legs did well. Next stop is Macon's Arrowhead Park for the first race of the Georgia Championship Series.
Each Time Trial was held the first Saturday of January, February and March on the Pinhoti Trail system that runs from Fort Mountain, Georgia to Annistin Alabama. The part we ran was in the Dug Gap/Snake Creek Gap area. The promoters shuttled us to the start lines and we raced TT style to the finish line by the Dalton Trade Center. The trail is extremely rough, full of rocks and roots, and most of the trail is full of long climbs and fast steep downhill sections. There is not much room for catching your breath. The terrain is so remote that everyone was encouraged to bring their cell phones and were given emergency numbers to call in case people got hurt. I saw some bloody noses during the series. Nevertheless, this series is a great tune up for the regular race season as you will not race in conditions any rougher than The Snake.
My January TT was cold and wet and I got 20th place in Men 35+.
February was cold and dry and I got 20th place again.
March was not so cold, and dry and I got a 9th place finish.
The team gathered in Perry, Georgia this past weekend to contest the Georgia Cup Perry Roubaix Omnium. On tow was Matt S, Tyler, Chad, Chris, Darren, Charles and Wes.
Our on form time trial specialist Matt Schectman was the sole representative for Pacesetters. He had a fairly spectacular ride and took third place and the final podium spot, riding the 10 mile course quicker then numerous “fast guys” and full time professional racers including riders from Toshiba Santos and Inferno. Matt was finally given a course and format to show off his extensive winter training, using the hills, 20mph winds and longer distance to his advantage. A recent trip into the wind tunnel, with a former Australian time trial champion, to adjust his time trial position seems to have paid dividends as well.
The time trial was followed by a circuit race on a 1.5 mile loop with half the course delivering 25+ mph winds into the faces of the racers. The action was furious over the first half of the race with strong group of six establishing a serious gap on the field. Our power house Tyler was impressive attempting to bridge the gap dropping other riders that tried to take a free ride on his wheel. Unfortunately when he was within a few metres of the break group, the effort into the wind took its toll on the father of one month old Seven so he just missed connecting and getting out of the wind to recover.
Shortly after Matt found another small bridge group and began the arduous task of catching the leaders over the next hour. When his smaller group, which had to work harder than the leaders, did connect the effort was apparent and Matt ran out of gas to finish out the race with the speed that he normally can.
The remaining bunch rode very easy allowing the leaders to catch up and teammates to then help their riders that had lapped the field. This change of pace was the nail in the coffin for Matt’s group and we caught them with 200 meters to go.On Saturday the team line up for the 100 mile road race on a 12 mile loop which included 2 miles of dirt roads. Chad was aggressive from the gun, as he knows a sure way not to miss a break-away was to establish the break-away. Not willing to allow another day without Pacesetters in the break he attacked on the first real climb and established a gap with about five companions. They held over a minute on the bunch for four laps until some of the other teams without representation decided to chase. Once Chad’s group was in sight and just before the dirt road section the attacks began. Matt went with a strong group but once we hit the dirt section, Bruno from Myogenysis and Tommy from Toshiba put down a pro level attack and immediately got a good gap on the bunch. On the next lap some furious attacks occurred on the king of the mountain climbs and a group of five slipped away. Tyler attacked shortly after into the cross wind section but was a marked man and was brought back.
Then leading into the dirt section Chad once again laid down some hard tempo and launched Matt with two other protagonists up the dirt road. Matt’s small group caught the group of five on the last lap and once again the attacks began without any time for Matt to recover from the chase effort. Most teams now had riders “up the road” and the bunch rode easy knowing that any chasing was futile.
Matt held in for an 11’th place finish but showed great fortitude coming back after feeling so empty and his hard time trial and circuit race efforts a day earlier.
In all the team is getting some great racing into the legs and developing the form and dynamics to deliver more results over the coming months.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Albany GA Cup, 2008 -- First race, First podie
The Pacesetter Steel boys got together en masse this weekend to begin setting the stages on one of our major objectives for the year; The 2008 GA Cup. As usual, the season kicks off in Albany, Georgia. A town marked on the world's map not only by us graceful men in tights, but just as importantly, the birth place of the inimitable Ray "The Genius" Charles.
This year's race, much like last year's, would be staged over an early Saturday morning short time trial (with 12 turns on the course), a Saturday evening criterium to give all the first chance to upset the morning's GC settings and finally, Sunday's long road race amongst the beautiful rolling terrain, pecan groves and intermittent Spanish Moss that one can only find in these far reaching throw of the deep south. The one we like, not the one we don't.
This specific Time Trial effort is really akin to pouring gasoline down one's throat, blindfolding him and then finally setting him alight into a very tight, twisty and technical course to garner the best time possible. With nary more than 4 minutes on the line, we're talking meager seconds to separate approximately 100 guys. A course like this, while a TT, forces the racer into a veritable dilemma of equipment choices. There are straights, but there's a lot of turns as well. Some of the corners require no braking, and one requires heavy braking. This race's TT course is always sure to have everyone nervously swapping wheels and bikes in their hotel rooms up until 5 minutes prior to start time.
Well, our own Tyler Grahovec sure chose well, and happened to bring his racing legs along to boot. As opposed to strategizing with the others, Tyler simply rammed through the course like a furious bull in a fine China shop and stomped and huffed his way across the line to secure the 3rd spot on the GC right off the bat. Just mere seconds behind evergreen hammer and fixture, Jon Atkins, and John Murphy of the Health Net Pro Cycling Team (and top 20 TT finisher at the Amgen Tour of California). The ever astute Chad Madan and boundlessly energetic Matty Schechtman also turned in extremely strong times with a 14th and 16th respectively. If any of the other teams were curious about Pacesetter's winter commitments, well now they would be assured. Here, watch the video.
This put us in a defensive AND offensive position for the criterium, which would take place over the same very technical and now, wind riddled, course. Literally, from the gun, the NRC guys were doing whatever they could to shake the full timers (you know, with jobs and families and stuff). John Murphy from Health Net and Nick Reistad from Jelly Belly were colluding from the gun and doing their best to string the pack out into a single file line. While most of the teams seemed content with this fate, Matty was firing missiles left and right to go with them and try and force that ultimate move, knowing all the while that just a few seconds would bring another Pacesetter guy into the GC fray. And whenever Matty pulled back to reload, one was not even afforded the chance to blink before Chad Madan had countered and burned through the front of the group. To watch these guys protect Tyler's position while staying on an opportunistic edge to move another one of us up the GC ladder was a sheer treat to watch.
While all breaks were pulled back in for the closing laps, setting up a big bunch gallop, several guys managed to force a few meters in the closing lap and Chad Madam stormed across the line to seal an indisputable 6th place with Charlie Rossignol coming right up in a very strong 17th.
With our main men marked, but some tricks up our sleeves, we entered the long 140KM road race. With wind not being as strong as we had imagined and no real features to split the peloton, this was bound to be a very strategically difficult race to move up in, but it's the same for all! We had Darren Comer, Wes Parrish, Chris Chotas, Matt McCarthy all move and mark the pointy end of the peloton early on in the race. We allowed few non threatening riders to slip away to help animate the race and increase the speed without using too many of our resources yet. Shortly thereafter, the NRC guys and the real protagonists of the series started throwing their jabs and putting everyone's eyes and ears on full attention. It's during these moments that tension and anticipation is so high that one can practically taste it. As it turns out, even John Murphy is bound by the same rules as we and was disqualified from the race after making multiple attacks while crossing over the yellow line. During this distraction, a committed group of 5 got away, including Jittery Joe's staple Tim Henry, making the move that much more dangerous. We found ourselves a bit disorganized and not in position to react, so we had to let the cards fall and play what we could.
This break picked up a couple of early escapees, and according to reports, put the stick at 28mph and never let up. The pack simply waited a little long to respond and it became a numbers game at that point. Chad immediately and subtly started softening the pack and nailing coffins shuts with his patented moves off the front until he formed a small group of 3 that was able to get a little time on the group. Shortly after this tactic established itself, Tyler Grahovec and Michael Wolfe. This would be the final move of the race and with approximately 2KM to go, Tyler jumped out of his group and managed to pin down 13th place on the day, with Chad holding on to 16th.
Once all was said and done, we managed 13th and 16th overall on the GC for Tyler and Chad respectively.
And then the fat lady sang.
It was a exceptional weekend and the team looks to be going very well. We look forward to building on this great race and methodically picking our way further up the ladder.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Greenville Training Series; Testing the Legs
Greenville Masters 35+
The 4 C's - Chad, Chaz, Chris, Comer lined up with close to 100 starters. Pace was high from the gun as many guys were there to test out their winter training. The wind was blowing relatively hard (10-15mph) all day and we had strong cross winds leading to plenty of "gutter" riding.
Darren was aggressive early and went in a break of 4 on the first lap. The break companions were not really working well or building a substantial gap. Chad sensed there may be potential with more numbers and drove a group over to Darren with about 6 more guys.
The peleton were having none of that and they were all soon absorbed.
Not long after Darren made another solo attack and established a gap. Hoping to have a few strong guys come over the only one willing was the infamous "Chisel" from the AXA team. Darren shortly realized the horsepower was not there and he rode away on a climb riding tempo. He then decide not to completely fry alone in the wind and he sat up for the group.
Chad again felt a lull and began aggressive moves sliding off the front but he was never given any rope to get away.
With one lap to go Chris came to the front fresh and ready to help chase a break of 3 that had escaped. Darren, Chad and Chris worked hard chasing to set up Charles for the sprint. With about 3 miles to go Charles sensibly jumped onto a small group trying to bridge over to the break and the Pacesetter boys began riding tempo and marking the front of the bunch.
The gap stayed consistent until about 1k to go and then the attacks started. When the final sprint ramped up Charles was absorbed at the line but held on to 12'th position with Chad sprinted in for 10'th.
PRO 1/2
We added Matt to the mix and he was fresh.
100+ racers lined up for the pro ½ race including large teams like DLP, Lee's McCray College, TIME Development team. The first lap of the road race was like a crit – single file and fast.
Matt was really aggressive and tried valiantly to initiate and get into a break that stuck. Unfortunately after one more of his attacks the real break went and he was too gassed to go with it.
The remaining teams kept the race fast despite the wind and it took its toll on the field which lost over 50% of the starters. Many riders were not yet fit enough to hold wheels and they were opening up gaps all over the shop. After closing up one to many gaps and fighting the cross winds Charles, Darren and Chris had to let the bunch ride away.
Chad and Matt stayed strong and fought hard to stay in the bunch and finish out the day for some great training in the legs.
The weekend has set the boys up nicely for the first Georgia Cup in Albany this weekend.
Our Pro 1/2 boys put their toe on their first line this past weekend in Atlanta, Ga at the Surge Sports 2008 Tundra Time Trial. An infamous favorite for those who are eager to test just how well their winter went.
Leave it to Matt to go ahead an prove the year's beginning a success by by taking our first podium with 3rd in the Pro 1/2 Category and for Charles Rossignol proving his best winter yet to keep it inside the top 10. Congratulations guys, way to bring in the year.
We'll be looking forward to blowing the pipes out this weekend at the Greenville Spring Series training races before we get down to the real matter at hand; The Albany Georgia Cup on March 1st and 2nd.
For the first time in 2008, the Pacesetter Steel Service Cycling Team will be coming together for our annual winter training camp in Athens, Ga.
The crew is looking very forward to coming together this weekend to enjoy some team dinners, familiarize ourselves with the 2008 team sponsors and, of course, finalize our plans in regards to this year's expectations and how we will provide more return on our sponsor's investments than ever before.
The schedule is as follows;
Friday night will be a relaxed team event with the focus of getting to know some of the newer teammates, visiting famed local establishments at the behest of our team director and a horse drawn carriage parade through town.
Saturday, as many know, will be the infamous Toccoa Winter Bike League ride. This will mark the official start of the camp and we ask that as many friends and supporters of the team attend, as we are sponsoring this surely unforgettable ride. All of the Pacesetter crew will be participating in this relaxing 120 mile ride through the hills of Georgia, and ideally going out for a few miles after the ride.
Saturday night will have a team dinner and more discussions covering what is to come of this year and address all that we were unable to uncover on Friday evening.
Sunday morning, we will be going out for a team ride for approximately 4-5 hours where will begin immediately realizing the plans that will have been set in motion this weekend.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Seven, the luckiest of numbers
On behalf of the entire Pacesetter Steel Service Cycling team, its friends and sponsors, we congratulate Tyler and Jenn Grahovec in giving birth to their first baby boy.
At 18:30 January 30th, 2008, little Seven Rhys Grahovec and all of his 8lbs of wheelmashing glory were brought into this world.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Pacesetter Steel Service Cycling returns for 8th season, strongest yet.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Atlanta, Georgia January 17, 2008
Pacesetter Steel Service, the US leader in coated steel distribution, has returned as Title Sponsor of Atlanta, GA, USA based elite amateur cycling team to support the 2008 Pacesetter Steel Service Cycling Team. The team will be presented by Greenleaf Environmental, a full service environmental company, and Woman's Health Center, a women's specific health service provider. The team will also be participating in a philanthropic partnership with the newly formed US based professional squad, Team Type 1, in efforts to disseminate knowledge and improve the lives of others with Type 1 diabetes.
Beginning their 8th season, Pacesetter Steel Service Cycling Team will continue their primary focus of road racing throughout the growing hotbed of year round cycling, the Southeastern US, as well as focusing on the Maxxis Georgia Cup and select events nationally, including races on the NRC schedule. The team will consist of 11 elite riders competing in the Pro1/2 category on the road; a significant boost from last year's roster, as well as a developmental squad of riders competing in categories 3 and 4.
The Pro1/2 team will be competing on the new 2008 Litespeed Siena framesets, Thomson stems and seatposts, Schwalbe tires, Zipp wheels and Timex heart rate monitors and timing devices; and will exclusively wear and use *Capoforma clothing and accessories, Rudy Project eyewear and helmets. Clif Bar is the official energy food sponsor of the Pacesetter Steel Service Cycling Team, Cyto Sport is the official supplier of all liquid and recovery supplements, we will be exclusively using EP-NO natural products and Premier Nutrition will be our protein supplement supplier. Shop support is provided by *Bicycle Link of Atlanta, Georgia. The Pacesetter
*Denotes new sponsor
After taking numerous wins, state titles, such as the Elite Time Trial, and two of the top 5 spots (Tyler Grahovec and Reid Peacock finishing 4th and 5th, respectively) on the Maxxis Georgia Cup series rankings, Pacesetter Steel Service cycling will enter the 2008 season with the following strengthened roster.
TEAM ROSTER:
ELITE
Ben Carter, GA Chris Chotas, GA Darren Comer, GA Tyler Grahovec, GA Russ Griebel, GA Chad Madan, GA Matt McCarthy, GA * Wes Parrish, GA * Reid Peacock, GA Charles Rossignol, GA Matt Shechtman, GA
DEVELOPMENT
Tres Courdin Calvin O'Keeffe Christian Leask Cy Hedrick David Homansky Joel Price Bill Feier Kip Humphries
*Denotes new rider
PARTNERS:
Platinum Pacesetter Steel Service, Inc.
Gold Greenleaf Environmental Woman's Health Center Philanthropic Team Type 1
Silver ATC Associates, Inc Merrill - Lynch Home America Mortgage, Inc. Regional Recycling LC Metals, Inc. Litespeed Schwalbe tires Bicycle link Clif Bar White Hawk, Inc. Zifty.com Thomson Premier Nutrition Willy's
Bronze Blue Ridge Scenic Railways Analytical Environmental Services Inc. (AES) GeoLab Capoforma Clothing/ Upland Sports Group CytoSport Timex Cool Beans EP-NO Dermatone Advantage Laser Products East Cobb YMCA WoodStock Beer Brands
To download copy of this press release, please click here.
We just ticked off our first start of the year, and wouldn't you know that it would be the everlasting Bill Feier, doing whatever he can to open and close our seasons.
Bill headed up for the first installment of the Snake Creek Time Trial Series the other weekend, Jan. 5 to be exact. This is the 4th year for the series and there was a huge turn out. There were easily 10 modified trailers pulling hundreds of bikes to the start areas. The race is a point to point ending up the Trade Center in Dalton, Ga. The time trial follows the Pinhoti trail across the mountains east of Dalton, the terrain is very rough and there is hardly any flow on the trail as you find yourself negotiating rocks, roots, and stream crossings...and basically punching the gas every chance you get. It seems like you are climbing for most of the route as you traverse the mountain peaks.
Bill entered the 35+ category and ended up with a 20th place finish. It was a good start for the season and he's already thinking of the next TT and how he'll be knocking time off my results.
We hung a couple of pictures of Bill that you can see right here.
One of the most important aspects of our world is sponsor support. Over the years, we've been fortunate to obtain the support of some of the most enviable sponsors in the business.
Thomson Bicycle Components, for example, a widely known and locally supported component manufacturer has been with us virtually from the very beginning. What many don't know is that they are located right here in Georgia, just south of Atlanta. What even more don't know is that some of the designs for these world class components CAME from the hands of designers right her in Atlanta!
What is equally important is that WE support our sponsors and show them from every aspect possible, how much we appreciate their allowing us to fly their flag for them.
We may be a little bit forward in announcing it, but we would like the word to get out about the upcoming Ronnie Thomson Customer Appreciation Day. That's right, when have you ever heard of a component manufacturer making some of the best components in the world, and then throwing you a party for using them!!!
Come on out this winter and show your support for a local legend.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Matt Shechtman; 2007 GA State Time Trial Champion
While still enjoying his newly appointed Category 1 status, Pacesetter Steel Service Rider, Matt Shechtman, decided to begin winding his year DOWN by doing the Georgia State TT Championships in Rome, Georgia this weekend. Naturally, Matt entered the Pro 1/2 field and took the top honors of the day.
Congratulations Matt, another job well done, and another welcome addition to this year's medal collection.
Of significant note as well, to cool down, Matt did the 6 Gap Century the day after and managed to roll across the 10,000 foot vertical gain course in less than 5 hours. Way to go.
