2009 Tour Red River Gorge UCI 2.1 Junior Elite

The USA Cycling SW Regional Camp in Flagstaff, always has a deep talent pool attending, and 2009 was no exception. It was this camp that would bring riders from other regions to one common place and goal. That is, to race on the ARIZONA SELECT Team at an UCI Nations Cup or at the first UCI Junior Elite 2.1 event held in the United States. Three of the top riders from the camp qualified and opted for the UCI Nations Cup event. I was blessed with other top riders to complete a Six Man Team. My guys for RRG were Morgan Ryan, Connor McCutheon, Griffin Easter, Stephen Leece, Jordan Campbell, Robert Chorost, and alt. Drew Albert. Watch out Kentucky, here comes the ARIZONA SELECT.

I rolled into Lexington a day early to check out the race head quarters and also drive a couple of the race courses… find the short cuts and best parking spots. The next day was airport pick-up day, all of our riders and Mechanic (Mike Woodard) and 16 other teams were flying in for tomorrow’s check-in to race headquarters and the dorms at Kentucky University. It was during check-in that I would start to see the “first year” scenario play out. I made sure my guys were under control and then I volunteered myself to assist the promoters… my Mechanic knows why I do what I do. That evening, I was glad to the see the first Director’s meeting would happen with only a few glitches. The bottom line, the kids have no idea, they’re here to RACE their bicycles.

By the start of the first stage, Mike (arguably one of the top 10 race mechanics in the US) and I were so prepared that we are looking for things to do, the guys are rested, fed breakfast and given a race plan for the two stages on this first day. Stage 1 is a 1 mile TT, half a mile out and turn around. We had one mechanical, Jordan Campbell. Stage 2 is a 99 KM road race, we had one rider (Stephen Leece) get caught up in a crash with 20K to go, but bravely makes the time cut with a couple gears. Stage 3 was the ITT, the guys rode well, but we had another rider (Griffin Easter) get a flat half way into the 22.7 KM TT. At the end of the 3rd stage, Arizona Select Team GC 12th.

I recall thinking, “we’ve had our share of bad luck, it’s time for someone else now”. The next morning, before the most difficult Stage (113 KM of hills) of the Tour, is the only time I have to “remind” the riders of “why we are here”… “to race our bicycles”. And race their bicycles they did. These guys have earned a great deal of respect from Mike and I all week long… but most importantly, they have done it for themselves. Young men grew up that day, and that day will be with them forever. At the end of the day and 4 stages, Arizona Select is 8th in Team GC. The final stage 5 (criterium 90 minutes) was the icing on the cake, the guys rode hard, taking turns mixing it up at the sharp end of the peloton.

The ARIZONA SELECT Team was a solid 8th in Team GC out of 17 starting six man teams. A high Team GC was my major objective for the race outcome, selling the strategy to the guys was paramount at this time in their cycling experiences. The ARIZONA SELECT composite team finished with all six riders and raced against HOT TUBES, HAMMER/CMG, HPC Cycling, Florida Development, Young Medalist, Hincapie Development, Team Specialized, Borah Development, Baraboo Sharks, ISCorp Jr. Team, SC Velo (all funded junior trade teams) and four other Regional Teams. It was great watching all of the other Juniors race, particularly the South Central Regional guys with TIM REDUS and my friends from Southern California Velo… I saw a bunch of these guys race their hearts out. 285KM, 5 Stages, 4 Days.

Hats off to the race promotor, Cliff Cantrell and the Lexington cycling community’s hospitality. I am looking forward to fielding another ARIZONA SELECT Team in 2010.