The team had a strong weekend of racing at the Banff National Park Stage Race this past weekend. This stage race was one of the Team H&R Block won two stages, two third place finishes and multiple top ten placings, as well as winning the team classification.
In the men’s category 2/3 events Team H&R Block won the ITT, Criterium and Road race.
Here is an overview of each stage with the results; we have also attached some photos for you as well.
Under cloudy skies, some of the top racers from Western Canada and the USA gathered for the Surprise Corner Prologue 1.5km, the opening event of the 3rd annual Banff National Park Bicycle festival from June 17-20. In addition to the top riders in the Invited Men and Open Women categories, there are also races at the Bike Festival for less experienced racers in Categories 2 through 5 (beginner racers start out in Category 5). In total, 180 athletes are racing at the Banff National Park Bike Fest this year.
The Surprise Corner Prologue starts off unassumingly with a gentle climb up meandering Buffalo Street, parallel with the Bow River, for the first kilometre. But just after the 1km mark, the gentle meander turns mean, and the road throws riders a curve ball in the form of a hairpin turn, called Surprise Corner, steepens abruptly on the way to the finish line. At the start line, riders wait nervously, barely breathing. But by the time they reach the finish line, riders are breathing in audible gasps.
Justin Kerr Team H&R Block stormed his way to the finish line in 2:36, winning the Invited Men category.
"We're very happy to be here," commented Mark Ernsting, director of Team H&R Block, "With our team roster including riders from both Alberta and BC, this race is a focus of the season. We're looking forward to the next events - we plan to take the race one day at a time, in hopes of some good results."
"Under a high ceiling of cloud, riders and race personnel milled about in Lake Louise, getting ready for the 81 kilometre 1A Sprint Road Race, the second event of the Banff National Park Bike Festival.
"The Invited Men rolled out and rode aggressively from the start, with multiple attacks though attempts were frequent, the peloton stayed together for the first 70 kilometres.
"With about 10km to go, a break of five riders went off the front. With representation from Trek Red Truck, Total Restoration, Lenovo, ERTC, and Garneau Evolution, the five riders got into rotation immediately, working well together to stay away. But missing the break was race leader Justin Kerr (Team H&R Block).
"That was not the break we wanted!" commented Aaron Schooler (H&R Block). Schooler and his team mates went to the front of the peloton and attempted to reel it in. As most of the bigger teams were represented in the break, the chase effort was largely powered by H&R Block. After 7 km of chasing, the pack swarmed the leaders, and three kilometers later riders sprinted for podium positions.
The 21 km ITT course starts at the north edge of downtown Banff (AB) from the Husky Station next to Bumper's Beef House. Riders head up and down the rolling hills on their way through the Lake Minnewanka recreation area. After heading across a dam, they pass Two Jack Lake that features a stunning view of the Fairholme Mountain Range, with majestic rock and snow contrasting dramatically against the turquoise lake lined with lush vegetation.
Gideon Kristalka (Team H&R Block) won the Cat 2/3 Men’s Individual Time Trial
Situated in the middle of downtown Banff, the Lezyne Criterium course is a technical one-kilometre loop featuring a hairpin turn on Banff Avenue.
The pleasant weather brought out lots of spectators who lined the course anticipating the great racing spectacle that criteriums dependably deliver - high speeds, sprinting, and crashes.
The Lezyne Criterium was the third and penultimate stage for Invited Men. The 50-lap race was extremely aggressive from the gun, with multiple attacks from Team H&R Block. With 39 laps to go, Aaron Schooler (Team H&R Block) and Beijing Olympic Triathlete Paul Tichelaar (ERTC/Revolution) went off the front. The pair worked well together, ultimately lapping the field, and rejoining the pack with 15 laps to go.
The final outcome saw Schooler cross the line ahead of Tichelaar amidst the sprinting pack to take the win. Team H&R Block continued to prove itself a force to be reckoned with, setting up a lead out train for Justin Kerr, highest among them on the General Classification, for the sprint for third - and the team delivered, with Kerr snagging the final spot on the podium.
"We wanted to make this a hard race," commented Schooler. "We wanted to move up in the General Classification, and we also wanted the stage win. And we did it the hardest way possible!"
Mike Sidic (Team H&R Block) won the 26-lap Category 2/3 Men race
The 11-lap Tunnel Mountain Road Race, 143km, the final event of the Invited Men's Category, was treated to perfect weather conditions. With the start/finish line on Beaver street at Wolf street the course heads out of town along Banff avenue to Tunnel Mountain Road. Up the winding climb with views of Mount Rundle, the course snakes its way back through town through Surprise Corner.
The Invited Men got underway at 10 a.m. and early attacks produced a break of three riders, including Sebastian Salas (Team H&R Block) Tyler Trace (Trek Red Truck), and Matthew O'Hagan (Garneau Evolution). The three became two within half a lap, and Trace and Salas soldiered on, their time gap fluctuating between 1:30 and 2:00 lap after lap. After a huge effort, the two were shut down by the chasing peloton with five laps to go.
With two laps to go, the two leaders began to fade, and Justin Kerr (H&R Block) and Marcel Aarden (Total Restoration) caught them with peloton ready to pounce. But the group of four off the front was not to be, and by the time the riders came through to start their last lap, what remained of the field, about 28 riders, was back together.
The finish came down to a field sprint with Trace wining by a narrow margin over Cyrus Kangarloo (Total Restoration), with Garrett McLeod (Team H&R Block) in third.
Mike Sidic (Team H&R Block) won the category2/3 mens road race along with Gideon Kristalka (Team H&R Block) coming in 3rd place.
The Canadian Cycling Association is pleased to announce Edmonton and Devon, Alberta as host city for the 2010 Road National Cycling Championships. From June 25 to July 5, 2010, more than 500 of Canada’s top cyclists will descend upon Alberta for a chance to become Canada’s Top Road Cyclist.
Thank you to ALL OUR PARTNERS for your amazing support we look forward to providing regular updates as the season gets underway.
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