Race Team News - November 2010

AJ Snovel

Juniors at Tour De L'Abitibi Canada

DBC Race Team junior racers, AJ Snovel and Cody Tapely, recently spoke at the Davis Bike Club meeting about their experiences at the Tour De l'Abitibi July 22-26, 2010, near Quebec Canada. This race is often referred to as the North American junior "Tour de France.” AJ and Cody were each placed on separate "composite" American teams, comprised of top-ranked juniors from around the US. The process of being placed on teams required them to submit their race resumes and support letters from veteran riders and coaches.

Cody Tapely

AJ rode for the Fuji team and Cody rode for Hotel San Jose/Mellow Johnny's. Neither of the boys had met their fellow teammates until they arrived at the school where they would stay. All of the teams were assigned a classroom where they slept together. They ate all meals at the school and races started many races from there.

Cody, Karch, and AJ

The race featured 7 stages over 6 days with an average distance of about 65 moderate hilly miles. A highlight and apparent initiation right of this race is the infamous "Mine Shaft Time Trial." Riders start at a depth of 500 feet in a cold, damp, dripping mine shaft that pitches up a 20% grade with short stretches of pitch black to emerge into daylight and then onto a technical course with six, 90 degree turns.

Both AJ and Cody commented that this was an unforgettable learning experience not only riding in challenging weather conditions and terrain but with world class 17-18 year old riders from 10 countries with various languages and cultures.

3 Cycling Disciplines 2010 State Champion Alexander Freund

Also of note is the extraordinary accomplishment of Alexander Freund who won THREE state championships titles this year for the 17-18 year old boys; track omnium, time trial, and road race. Congratulations Alexander!!!

Davis Bike Club Race Team 3rd Best All-around Team for 2010!

Road and Criterium Races Individual and Team rankings for Northern California and Nevada show the Davis Bike Club Race Team ranked 3rd out of for the season!!

Recognition was also given to individuals and race categories for the year. Special kudos to Michael Stoner and Nelson Frink for placing 3rd for the season in their categories, Cat 4 and 45+ Cat 4. Also, congrats to DBCRT Women Cat 4-2nd place, Men Cat 4-3rd place, and Men 45+ Cat 4-2nd. Good job TEAM!!!