Boxwood Circuit, August 23rd, 2011 Numbers were down tonight and only 12 riders, including lone woman, Glenda Harling, started the event. Everyone stayed together until a lap after the initial prime, the first of three taken by fast man Rob Russell.

During the next ten laps, several riders in sequence tried to get off the front of the pack, with Ray Wagner, Iain Hay and Mark Wieler prominent in these attacks. However, all were brought back in short order while Russell out sprinted Mike Sevcov for the second prime.

Soon afterwards, newcomer John Lam spent a lap and a half off the front but he too was brought back before the third prime, with Ray Wagner just edging Russell for the sprint. Lam again cruised off the front of the bunch but was quickly reeled in and all settled down until the final prime at three laps to go,when Russell and Iain Hay took first and second, Hay shouting “Come on. Keep going!”. Although Russell followed his advice, the duo was caught by the accelerating pack and, as they crossed the line on the bell lap, the group was led by Bill McMillan, Rob Russell and Gary Croome. Croome and McMillan both faded and only Russell was able to stay near the front. At the line Rob Bau, who had been almost invisible for much of the race, took the chequered flag, with Russell second and Iain Hay just edging Mike Sevcov to take third.

Glenda Harling rode well tonight, staying with the men for nearly eight laps before easing off with stomach trouble. She took a free lap and once she restarted, again stayed with the men. Good work Glenda!

Remember, all remaining events in the series start at 6.30pm.

At the MIVA weekly time trial series in Nanaimo, one can observe all kinds of interesting, if somewhat inefficient, rider positions.  Fabian Cancellara, arguably one of the best road time triallists ever, demonstrates perfect form here.

Many visitors to this web site are racing cyclists. To view a somewhat different event where the participants must bring a bike they can take on any form of transportation, and where they a must dress in business clothes rather than Spandex, go here.

Sunday's  Triple Shot Team Time Trial on the Nanaimo River Road saw eleven senior/master teams and a junior squad from Comox Valley CC take the start. For some of the riders, it was a first experience of the hilly course and they found it somewhat difficult to establish a good rhythm. Unfortunately neither of the MIVA teams showed, due to schedule conflicts and other unspecified obstacles but they will definitely be there next year, well-prepared and raring to go. Results for the team time trial here.

This evening was just about perfect for a hill climb, The temperature had dropped a few degrees, most of the course was shaded, and there was no wind. Janna Gillick was first off and did a very creditable ride, despite complaining of being really tired from lots of riding, etc. over the past few days. She beat the previous women's record handily. Second off was Mark Wieler who was new to road hill climbs. He still managed a sub-ten minute ride, posting 9' 22”. Third off, Paul Auton, actually overtook Mark before the finish and it was obvious he was flying. He posted a new men's record of 7' 56” but lost this within a minute as Stefan Jacobsen stormed up to the finish line in 7' 42” . It was disappointing to have only four participants for this annual climb but small numbers in mid-August seems to be the pattern over the last four years. Hopefully, the numbers will pick up for the last few events. So far this year, there have been 9 women, 38 men, and 1 youth rider at one or more MIVA time trials. What a race it would be if they all showed up the same week!

Thanks to Kyle Waring, who gets 5 points for acting as starting timekeeper, and to Kit McCaffery for her regular registration chores.

Next weeks 20km time trial starts at 6.30pm, as do all the evening events for the balance of the season.