MIVA BOXWOOD CRITERIUM, MAY 15TH. 2012 40 minutes plus 5 laps

Weather cool with a stiff breeze.

During the first few laps, a number of the stronger riders, including Sean Lunny, Shepherd Stewart, Ray Wagner, Mike Sevcov and Kirby Villeneuve tested the waters with turns at the front but the first real attempt at a break occurred on lap six, when Iain Hay and Paul Thompson stayed away for a couple of lepsonly to be brought back just before the first prime. This was won by strong man Ian Smith who cruised off the front with half a lap to go.

He was soon joined by Lunny and Wagner but within a lap, the pack was all together again. Ray jumped again almost immediately and this time took Mike Sevcov with him. The duo managed to stay out front for the next three laps but the pack realised that these were two strong riders and hauled them in well before the second prime.

The bunch stayed together for the next three laps,and then, just after the bell, Ian Smith pulled away from the rest and took the prime as easily as the first. A chasing group composed of Jonsma, Wagner, Thompson and Lunny bridged to him and the quintette stayed away for just over a lap, picking up a lapped Phil Birrer in the process.

This group stayed away for the next five laps, Smith taking the third prime at two laps to go and then the Smithsonian missile put the hurt on the rest and opened up a ten second gap in the last lap, with only Sean Lunny rising to the challenge.

At the line, it was Ian Smith cruising in solo, with a totally-spent Sean Lunny at five seconds with Menno Jonsma winning the third place sprint from Ray Wagner and Paul Thompson.

All agreed it had been the fastest and most enjoyable Tuesday nighter this season.

It should be noted that youth rider Brodie Hay rode really well tonight and after he was originally lapped after staying in the pack for fifteen laps, managed to finish ahead of three of the seniors.

Charlene Hay as the only woman competing, scored maximum points and managed to stay for a couple of laps in the bunch each time they lapped her.

Thanks to Al Henderson for registration set-up and bell/lap board duties and to Iain and Brodie Hay for Course set up and take down.

Results checked and verified with Contourroam video camera. Frame numbers coming soon!

Iain Hay sprinted to 3rd place in the B race at the Windsor Criterium. Brodie Hay rode a great race in the C race and finished top

10, after being forced to change bikes with 5 laps to go! Great race, would be nice to see some more MIVA jerseys!! Iain is a knowledgeable and canny rider who knows who to watch and when to make an effort. As his fitness

improves, expect to see more podium placings. Brody also is developing the fitness he needs to climb up the placings. On Tuesdays, his increased speed and endurance can clearly be seen.

What the club needs is a bunch of youth riders like the group in Comox Valley Cycling Club. Since the club members don't yet have families or, if they do, the kids are still very young, we need to go into the schools to locate new talent. MIVA' Youth Development Programme in the Fall is designed to do just this but more volunteer youth coaches are needed. For those who are interested, Colin Campbell will put on a course for six or more individuals.

Giro d’Italia: Ryder Hesjedal attacks into pink on the Cervinia mountaintop by Ben Atkins at 11:38 AM EST Andray Amadar holds on to take the stage as Canadian wins the overall battle behind him

An attack in the final three kilometres of stage 14, on the climb to Cervinia, saw Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Barracuda) seize back the Maglia Rosa that was taken from him in Assisi. The Canadian jumped away from a select group of riders, which had been whittled down by the pace set by Liquigas-Cannondale, and incumbent race leader Joaquim Rodríguez (Katusha) could do nothing to stop him. Hesjedal was unable to catch up the the three remaining riders from the stage’s long breakaway however, and Andrey Amador (Movistar) outsprinted Jan Barta (NetApp) and Alessandro De Marchi (Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela) to become the first Costa Rican to win a stage of the Giro. The Garmin-Barracuda rider finished just 20 seconds behind Amador, while Paolo Tiralongo (Astana) led the Rodríguez group over the line after 46 seconds. The 26 seconds gained were enough for Hesjedal to take back the Maglia Rosa, with the Canadian taking a slim nine second lead. "The guys started to accelerate a little bit on the climb," said Hesjedal immediately after receiving his new Maglia Rosa. "I knew it eased off after three kilometres. My legs felt good, I decided to give it a go and test myself a little bit. I tested the race as well…" Rodríguez tried to chase Hesjedal down once it became clear that he could sustain his attack, but this only had the effect of dropping a number of riders and the Catalan was unable to pull him back. “That’s good..." said Hesjedal. "I just felt good, I wasn’t thinking about anything, just putting in an effort and seeing what the other guys were up to. It worked out well, I’m back in the jersey, so that is great." The stage set out from Cherasco at a vey high speed but, after 60km, the break finally went clear. With Amador, Barta and De Marchi were Matteo Montaguti (AG2R La Mondiale), Pier Paolo De Negri (Farnese Vini-Selle Italia), Olivier Kaisen (Lotto-Belisol), Nelson Oliveira (RadioShack-Nissan) and Nikolas Maes (Omega Pharma-Quick Step); by the time they arrived at the foot of the Col de Joux, with 46km to go, they were 13 minutes clear. Barta attacked early in the climb and was alone over the top; he was caught and passed on the descent by Amador however, who began the final climb alone. De Marchi and then Barta fought their way back up to the Costa Rican and, despite occasional attacks, arrived at the finish together. Behind the break Liquigas-Cannondale was controlling the peloton, and gradually closing the gap. Jose Rujano (Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela ) and Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) attacked close to the top of the Col de Joux but, although Cunego managed to start the final climb clear, the peloton was all together as it closed in on the breakaway. "I think Ivan [Basso] is serious about winning the race…" said Hesjedal about the Liquigas-Cannondale tactics. "He knows he is capable and his team is strong enough. He feels he knows what he is doing, and [if Liquigas-Cannondale rides] that’s fine by me." Into the final five kilometres the attacks began, with Gianluca Brambilla (Colnago-CSF Inox), Tiralongo, and Mikel Nieve (Euskaltel-Euskadi) all trying to get away; but Hesjedal’s was the only move that stuck, and the Canadian rode himself back into the race lead.

At 9am sharp this Saturday, the regular club ride departed from Oak Bay Bikes and wove its way down along the E & N Trai, across the footbridge over the Millstone River and then down to Victoria Road and into Cedar. Eight started the ride but Regis Chapman, with very few miles in his legs, found the going a bit fast and after being paced back by the Pres. on his scooter a couple of times , decided to call it a day and rode back down to Cassidy.

For those who are still working on fitness level or who like a more sedate ride, the Monday rides, with 6.30pm  starts alternating between the Aquatic Centre and OBB, are a little slower and the group always waits for dropped riders.