2008 Zimmerman MS Bike Ride

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Race Report - 2009 Gwinnet Bike Fest Georgi

This from Claudio about some fast bike racing in Georgia by ZMotion...


Tiago Depaula Took part of the 2009 Gwinnett Bike Fest Race in Georgia.

Stage 1 - July 22 Road Atlanta Circuit Rolling/Hilly 2.5 miles laps(50 miles)

This first race was to settle in and see who is who in the peloton. Tiago found himself racing against top Pro teams such as Type 1 Team, Rock Racing, Kenda Pro Team, FLY V Australia,etc...At the start he followed a lot of breaks trying to participate in as many as posible. Halfway into the race he was in a break with the major pro team represented and he began to work really hard to make it stick. The peloton was able to bring them back. As that happened there was a break of 11 and without any teamates Tiago was forced to sit and wait to see if the would bring them back. With one lap to go he attacked and was able to hold off the field to finish 12th between the break and the chasing peloton..

Stage 2 - July 23 Gwinnett Center Criterium Flat 1 mile(CRIT race,90min)

This was a 1 mile flat criterium that was fast from the start. Tiago was forced to race aggressively and continuesly attacking the peloton. A break of 7 formed with Tiago, A Kenda Pro rider and 2 others chasing the original break.Tiago was not able to follow all the moves and the fact that the local riders know him made it dificult to make the final break finishing in 9th place for the day.

Stage 3 - Road July 24 New Hope Road Road Race Rolling 8.5 miles per lap race (85miles)

This race proved to be a very hot and dificult race to participate in. There was a very steep hill and the riders were continuesly attacking.A break of 6 managed to get away from the peloton which did not have much organization to chase them down. The field was racing for 7th place with 2k to go Cesar Grajales(Rock Racing, (winner of tour the Georgia stage and beat Lance on the climb to Brasstown Bald),Benjamin Day Fly V australia(former national champion from Australia) ,Matt Winstead Pro team Kenda lead the charge up the hill.As soon as he felt them slow down he attecked and only one rider from the field was able to come around him at the line to finish second in the field sprint and 8th in the race.

Stage 4 - July 25 Satelitte Rd. Time Trial Time Trial Rolling 6 miles

The Time Trial was going to be a good way for Tiago to get some points back for the General Classification.
With his legs still feeling tired from the day before he knew he had to dig deep to compete against the riders from Rock Racing, Jelly belly, Fly V Australia, Kenda Pro, Team,Team Type 1,all UCI Pro Teams . With all the pro teams represented the time trial was of national level and Tiago was able to finish a strong 7th place.

Stage 5 - July 25 Norcross Criterium Flat 1 mile

Todays course was a flat 1 mile very technical Criterium. Riders with great ability and power off the corners were the ones that would exel in todays event.Tiago tried to position himself in the top front of the field because right from the start it would be Fly V australia trying to control the field and other teams trying to attack. The first 10 laps was single file racing and Tiago was waiting for the split to happen and it did. A group of ten riders was able to break away and Tiago was able to make the break and lap the field. Towards the end 2 pro riders were able to get a gap with Tiago sprinting in the field to get 5th in the field sprint and 8 in the day maintaining a top 10 in the gc.

Stage 6 - July 26 Progress Center Circuit Rolling 2.7 miles

With all the riders tired from the days before it was Fly V trying to control the race again. Tiago was trying to break away but since he was in the top 10th in the GC and a had chance to step on the podium he was chased every time. He followed all the dangerous moves but none stuck. At the end he managed to get in the lead out train from Fly V Australia and finish 9th in the day and 7th overall in the Gwinett Bike Fest 2009.

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