TRAIN

[wes out training with the team on GMR, thanks to team rider michael r. for the image]

WEEKEND

[wes post]
images will be posted soon.

Saturday Brian and I contested the Cat 4 at San Fernando. After controlling the entire race i.e. bringing back breaks and setting tempo along with Chester and Seth of Platinum Racing we were set to go with two to go. On the Bell lap Brian moved into the lead-out position taking the lead of the peleton and ramping the pace like he does so well. The guys from Platinum let me in to take Brian’s wheel (Becher + gets respect). Through the S-Turn and down to the final turn Brian let a few through setting me up taking 3rd wheel. After the Big U turn I ended up in front, not where I would like to be at all,especially with 700 meters or so to the finish. After looking back and seeing a small gap on the peleton I jumped and put my head down and hammered. Obviously an amature move, with about 200 meters to go a huge group of guys go my me leaving me to finish a lousy 27th. What an upsetting finish for me, especially with such a great move from Brian I felt that I really let him down. I had top 5 at least cinched and blew it. Live and learn I guess. Brian finished in 33rd.

Sunday I represented Becher+ in the Cat 4 at Bicycle Johns Grand Prix. A new course from last years and a great one at that. A really fast 3 1/2 turn really really fast course. About 20 minutes of really fast paced racing a group of 7 went up the road. I scanned the group from the peleton to see who was in it. It was both Seth and Chester from Platinum racing, and a few other big hitters that have been racing really well lately. Therefore I knew that it was the winning break with that line up in it. So I planned my attack and launched out of the peleton and bridged the gap solo to enter the break. What started as a 10 second gap from the field we ramped up the pace all working really really hard to put time on the peleton which we did. When a crash in the peleton occured on turn one it enabled us to increase our split on the field. With five to go the peleton were closing in but it was too late to catch us because we were flying. On the last lap in turn three our paceline got split up when one of our break away riders flated and caused our group to split into two paceline. After the final turn we all hammered but my group of 4 got behind, but I sprinted past one rider and finished 6th overall. Seriously without a doubt one of the hardest efforts I ever put into a race. It was murder just hanging on to that break let alone after taking my pull when it was my turn. What a great way to finish the weekend!! Some great racing and workout for the up and coming state championships next week.

Thanks for all the hollering and cheering and yelling of split times from Jim, John, Greg, and of course my girlfriend Kristine!!

Thanks for reading

Wes

ONTARIO CRIT REPORT

[the following is the ontario [1 jun] CAT4 race report from wesly neilson, team rider and all around bad ass]

Yesterday Brian and I contested the Cat 4 race at the Ontario Airport Crit. The field was smaller than usual (due to the Dana Pointe Race). Anyhow Brian me and our friend Eddie lined up together with a plan to stick together and help set a good pace throughout the race and more importantly to really drive the pace on the last lap with a goal to position me in the third wheel to launch me for the sprint. The pace started really slow and so Brian went to the front and really ramped it up to tire out those who couldn’t hang. A few breaks got away and were reeled in without any problem. Later in the race another 2 man break went up the road. When it was time to reel that one it Brian took his turn first, Eddie did his job after that, then it was my turn. We closed the gap significantly but couldn’t get the group back without help. Therefore not wanting to race for fourth we basically called out the peleton for lacking the will to do work. Finally with 3 laps to go someone other than us three took a pull and finished the job bringing the break back. On the bell lap it was time to make our move. After turn 1 Brian took command of the peleton setting a blistering speed that no one could get around. Eddie was sitting 2nd wheel and I third. When Brian pulled slowed just before turn 2 Eddie took his turn, once again setting a great pace. Eddie popped a little early and the pace slowed. Luckily a rider for Team Bearclaw jumped around Eddie and created a gap. Therefore I jumped on his wheel and we set up for the final turn (3). Two riders beat us into the turn taking the inside lanes. Sitting in fourth I stood and sprinted passing one rider and finally just nipping the other at the line to finish 2nd! It was a great race and I felt good going into it. But I must admit I could not have pulled it off without the help of my Teammate Brian BW’s and our good friend Eddie who both did a lot of work chasing breaks, setting awesome tempo, and positioning me perfectly for the sprint. So mark it 11 points for Team Becher +. After the race we continued to be complimented from the may riders on our hard efforts and being the controlling squad of race. Hope you enjoyed, and hope to see you all at the next race which will be San Fernando Sat. June 14.

TORRANCE CRIT 2008

ok, finally some form and redemption, albeit stymied by a huge pile up in front of me on the last lap.

the torrance crit went off very successfully for noah, wes and i. no one crashed and we all put in a good hard effort. the torrance crit is 4 corners of pure speed and some good ol fashioned bumping and skidding. noah was first off the mark and held his own up front for most of the race, while wes and i yo yo'd through the group. it was wes's first race of the season and even though he is getting a late start on things, he held his own and got stronger through the race. i too held my own and got some confidence back that had been lacking since coming back after surgery. i felt stronger and more comfortable as the race went on. i would say that every flat and or crash was due to a carbon rim blowing up, some guys keep their bikes upright, others did not. going into the first corner of the last lap at full rivet, about 10 guys went sliding across the lane as i was deep into my corner and as my back wheel went sideways and said hi to the front wheel, i finagled my way through the carnage and got on it to finish as best i could after going from 30+ to 3+ and still in my 53/11. all in all a good day, i am proud of the efforts that noah and wes put out, as far as i am concerned they did the colors proud and i walked away with a big smile after i caught my breath and could talk again.


[never start at the back of the field at torrance, oops, as passing is pure grit]


[wes getting his game on]


[am i really smiling?]


[chester and blue moving up]


[i will be able to talk in a few minutes]