Monday, March 16, 2009

Weekend Results: March 14th & 15th

Bethel #2

A solid field lined up for the second Bethel race of the season under some surprisingly sunny skies. Many of the usual suspects showed up, all in their new team gear, ready to find some racing legs for the 2009 season. The race was active all day, with lots of various moves going up the road - some of which the two lone CCNS riders, Hunter and Luekens, were mixing it up in.

The most promising break of the day - with Hunter, some Targetraining, Bubble boys, and Keltic folks represented - made it to about 20-30 seconds before the field brought it back. That's not to mention Luekens and Hunter going 1-2 in a cash prime later in the race. It wasn't until about 10 laps to go that a strong move of Eneas from Targetraining and Chad Butts from Champion System (who earlier edged Luekens out for a prime) made it up the road. Their gap made it to a max of 15 seconds, which apparently wasn't enough to scare the better represented teams of FusionThink and Keltic. Hovering at 12sec. with only 2 to go, something of a chase finally materialized, but it was too little too late as the sprinters finished just a few bike lengths behind the two winners.

With more CCNS riders there, we surely could have brought the break back, but Luekens and Hunter managed to scrounge their way through the sprint nonetheless, grabbing 8th and 13th. It was great to get some more early racing in and to recognize how strong the CCNS team really will be when we're in full force. Should be an exciting season...........
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Plainville Race 2

The CCNS had a great day at the second race of the plainville series this past weekend. The full Squad showed ready to race hard and make an impression. Right from the gun the team set pace on the front for the first few laps, setting the high paced standard for the day. The team continued to launch attacks and make the race series leader race hard, who was just 1 point ahead of CCNS' own Craig Luekens in the overall. The team did just that as they managed to force a break with 2 CCNS riders, David Hoyle and Ron Larose, along with 6 other riders about halfway through the race.

The break stayed away for the rest of the race. In excellent tactical fashion David Hoyle launched a solo attack from 2 laps out and managed to stay away for the win! Ron Larose handily won the sprint while letting the others chase, officially giving Team CCNS 1st and 2nd place for the day!

Tim Malton, also a CCNS Client, managed 3rd for the day in the 1,2,3 race behind the two Team CCNS riders. Steve Youmatz, a Team CCNS Masters rider, won the Category 4 race earlier that morning too!

It was definitely a great day for the CCNS community as a whole.

Excerpt from the CCNS community site at charlescoaching.com

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Bethel Race #1

A strong field of 60-70 riders were out for the first Bethel Spring Series race. The new look Target Training squad and CT Coast were the best represented in the field. Plenty of talent had made the trip up from NYC as well. In for the team was Hunter Pronovost and newcomer Josh Friedman. It was a windy day, as usual for Bethel, and the plan was to be up front and represented in what was probably going to be a race decided by a break.

Both Josh and Hunter were active at first, Josh took the lead in instigating a couple of attacks, but couldnt find the right mix of guys to stay away. Hunter as well, had a go off the front in a break but that fizzled out within a lap and half. The two CCNS riders were working well together, and despite not having numbers, were at the front most of the race. Hunter missed the first prime lap prize by a bike and a half.

Most activity off the front was anchored by the strong Target Training crew. Though most moves didnt last more than a lap. The most dangerous looking break got free with about 7 laps to go. 2 Target Training guys, Eneas Freyre and another, broke clear at the right moment and got free. They had a gap as high as 17 seconds at one point, but then the duo split as the chase was ramping up behind, leaving Eneas alone to try to get to the line first.

Going into the last lap, Josh was sitting in the top 12, looking good. Hunter was a little farther back. The lone Tartget Training rider would get swept up in the final 200 meters. Josh got boxed in and couldnt get a good sprint into the top 10. Hunter had worked hard at moving up the left side on the backstretch, found an alley and sprinted a long way, managing to snag 5th... Just a few bike lengths from the win.

After the first weekend of training races, CCNS riders have points in both series...

Excerpt from the CCNS community site at charlescoaching.com

Plainville: Race #1

The first race of the year just went down this past weekend at the first of the Plainville Crit series. The CCNS squad had a great turnout for the first race of the year.

Pro 123 Race: The usual central Connecticut cycling suspects came out for the first race… including Mike McGinely, Eric Merril, and Ron Fantono for the new IRS Medic Cycling Team. Arlen Zane Wenzel from the Horst Cycling Team, a lot of guys from the Bubble Boy Stage 1 cycling team (we’ll learn their names eventually), and the entire CVC squad.

The team was pretty excited to get things rolling for the first race of the year… and the team goal was to have someone represent CCNS in a break at all times. After a few good break attempts from various guys from the team, including Ron, Craig, Hunter, and a nice long flyer from Patrick Brandon, Aidan established with a small break with Ed Angeli and Barry Miller. After a few laps off the front, a chase group bridged up from the field with Craig Luekens in tow (deemed the “Freight Train” in the Horst Cycling Teams Blog).

With two CCNS riders established in the break of 11 riders, the group went on its way towards lapping the field. During this time the break maintained a healthy pace with the help from riders such as Arlen, Mike, Ron Fontano, and Peter Petrillo. Craig managed to win a prime and get second by a wheel length in another, all while doing his fair share of work at the front of the break. Aidan was playing the conservative role, hoping for a late attack opportunity.

As the group made full circle and attached with the back of the field, CCNS riders Ron, Patrick, and Hunter set a stiff pace for the remaining 5 laps to keep the field under control. With the leadout help of Ciaran Mangan from CCB, the CCNS team led Craig and Aidan into the final sprint for a respectable 2nd and 5th place.

The team is excited for the next race.… And with a full squad planned to show for next weekend, the team is ready to race aggressively and really throw down.

Excerpt from the CCNS community site at charlescoaching.com

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

2009 Race Season Begins

The 2009 race season begins this Sunday with the 1st event of the Bethel Spring Series. The forecast is bone chilling, but sunny...should be a good day of racing!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Team Training

Yesterday's unseasonably warm temperatures made it an ideal day to get out on the road and put in some miles. Saturday's warmer temps and rain cleared the roadsides and melted most of the snow away making for safe riding conditions. The 2009 race season is just around the corner, gotta' get those miles in!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year

We'd like to wish everyone a happy Holiday Season and a happy, healthy New Year!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

2009 Racing Season

The New Year is only a week away! We'd like to start by introducing our 2009 sponsors and release our new team roster. Please see the right column for the updated 2009 information. The new team kits are in production as we speak and photos will be updated as soon and the kits are in our hands. The team would like to thank all of our 2008 sponsors and the riders that wore the team colors for the 2008 racing season. To those of you that are leaving the CCNS family, we thank you for your time and service and wish you all the best with your new endeavours.