Fontana RR and Rodder Racing’s Domination of the Kenda Cup West
Well kinda, we’ve been having a great spring as Scott has been reporting. Although we’re sitting in 7th place in the team standings I’ve been working hard to maintain my lead in the Cat 3 Clydes 34 and Under. The first 2 races of the season came and went early. Sage Brush was a great test of my fitness and decending skills. Then Bonelli was a great test of my ability to race tactically. I ended up 1st over the line both races by a gap of 30 sec. over the chasers. No serious dabs or crashes, just some scuffs here and there and luckily no mechanicals.
Fontana was round 3, it was also the best showing for Rodder Racing at a National level race. We had 3 out of 4 of our riders on the line this weekend. Matt Reeves coming off a huge stretch of traveling for work and banditing marathons, managed to pull out a great performance and captured 11th in the highly competive and sandbagger heavy Cat 2 30-34. While Jason Fabiny held out for 8th in Cat 3 30-34, Fontana marks Jason’s 3rd National level race and he’s already showing some promise. Looks to see Jason in Cat 2 next season!
As for me, I came into the morning with a sore throat and the clouded feeling you get when a cold is making it’s way into your body. I shrugged it off and warmed up like usual, the legs felt good and the heart was doing quite well too. Managed to get myself and nice spot in the starting group, I lined up to the inside to avoid all the loose stuff on the outside of the first 2 turns. When the whistle blew I took off like a mad man with the rest of the group. As we made the first turn to go up the first bit of the climb I was sitting 4th wheel and was feeling great. Going through the first sections of single track and heading to the Tarmac climb things were still holding well, my HR did jump up super high right away (which should’ve been a warning sign) but I pushed through it thinking I’d be able to recover once we got on the trail. I forgot that after the Tarmac climb we kept going up, I got to a point where I lost my line and the 2 guys in my group got by me. I was relegated to playing catch up that was my undoing. The course was more technical than Sagebrush and Bonelli, not really technical but full of brake chatter bumps which kept me from pedaling. By the time I started my 2nd lap I could still see the guys ahead of me through some of the switch backs but my legs were done. I wasn’t drinking, the sun was beating and my legs had no power left. I was able to clear all the sections that caught me off guard on my pre-ride so it was a personal achievement to be able to do that. I ended up in 3rd 3:30 off the lead, I know I could’ve done better if things were a bit different. But I’m not going to dwell on this race, I have a full week of training ahead of me to prep for Santa Ynez in 2 weeks which will wrap up the 4 race marathon that has been going on since Feb 28th, a race every 2 weeks makes for a super busy early season. Thankfully things kinda spread out after Santa Ynez.
Keep your eyes out for the Rodder boys up in Solvang/Santa Ynez! Scott Holland has been itching to get out on the National circuit all winter and this will be his debut. Matt Reeves will also be coming out to help work with Scott to kick some ass in Cat 2 30-34. I’m hoping to maintain my lead in the overalls and beat my own time from last years race!
We also would like to thank ESI Grips for allowing us to use their tent as our pit for the last 2 races! You guys rock and make a killer product, check em out! esigrips.com
We would also like to thank Magura Direct, Pronghorn Racing for the awesome frames and wheels, Schwalbe Tires for the lighter faster rolling Kenda alternatives, iMountainbike for the killer new T-shirts, Sram for the dead reliable drivetrains, KMC for the bomb proof chains and of course North of the Border Bike shop for supporting us with parts and service! We also can’t forget Coach Zippy for whipping us into shape!
Photos by Tom Shao tomshaophoto.com
