Whoo, Hoo! We now have Colavita Products for sale. The nice guys at Colavita National in New Jersey sent us Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Marinara sauce, Penne Pasta and Balsamic Vinegar. We will be selling all the products at the races with the proceeds to fund our team. Prices are still being worked out.
Colavita Olive oil was chosen the finest olive oil by Cooking Light magazine and other health oriented publications. And if you haven’t had the pasta, you are really missing a treat. It makes Mueller’s taste like sawdust….
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Sugarloaf Race Weekend
Saturday
Team Colavita has added a new meaning to the term "Feed Zone." With a tent set up and cars packed with water bottles, we were well prepared to give out feeds to Colavita racers going by. But Kevin McGauvran went above and beyond, showing up with a full grill in the back of his truck and all the fixings to cook hamburgers on the side of the road. Michelle went as far as to place food requests while racing, "I'd like 2 cheeseburgers when I finish, thanks!" and everyone enjoyed relaxing and eating a burger after their long race. The juicy, oversized burgers were complimented by Ginger Warren's fabulous homemade cookies. Kevin even gave instructions on the proper folding/eating of her treats! It was such fun that we all stayed late into the afternoon, talking about the race and enjoying good company.Results
Category 3
Jos Chalmers 6th
Alex Spook 26th
Category 4
Taylor Warren 17th
Dean Warren 21st
Casey Braga 27th
Ian McGauvran 32nd
Brandon Forman 39th
Bradley Gordon 40th
Women 3/4
Michelle Blake 7th
Sunday
Tired from the previous day's racing, riders had to face the challenge of a windy, rolling and rainy course on Sunday. Jos Chalmers raced category 3, which was combined with the Pro 1-2 race. He got in a breakaway with three Pro 1-2s and they made a gap of 30 seconds on the field. In the last few miles of the race, Jos and Victor Herrea got away from the other two riders and it came down to a sprint between the two of them. Chalmers led the sprint into the last few yards but was just clipped at the line when he relaxed for the win. They each won their category but Jos is now in danger of those looming upgrade papers to make him into a category 2. In the category 4 race, Colavita had a great showing, with Casey Braga and Dean Warren both making the top ten in the final sprint of their race, which had been held almost entirely in the rain. Ian McGauvran also stayed with the pack and finished 21nd. Their teammate, Taylor Warren, dropped his chain during the race, had to chase back on but then was crashed out in a sandy corner.
Team Colavita made the Lake County edition of the Orlando Sentinel with Jos' win for all to see. Grand job, everyone! See you guys in Tampa!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Imbedded Cat 4 Racer
By Dean Warren
It is certainly one thing to watch the hard work the Colavita juniors put in to train and race, but by racing alongside the Cat 4 racers I have an even greater appreciation for the efforts of these competitors. The Winter Haven Cycling Classic race weekend showcased the teamwork and skill level the Colavita cyclists have developed. I raced along side Casey, Taylor, Ian, Bradley, Brandon, Christian and Anselm on Saturday in orange grove country on a supposedly 14 mile loop for three laps (turns out the loop was a bit less than 13 miles).
The weather was nearly perfect save for the breeze coming out somewhere from the north. Maybe it was the wind or the fact that the participants were thinking about the 7 mile time trial (which turned out to be more like 8 miles) which kept the overall pace of the race at times a leisurely tempo. Maybe no one wanted to pull into the wind, but that was mostly on the last lap. Space Coast rode at the front for the most of two laps, but slid back on lap three before leading out Daniel Curio in the end to victory.
Did I mention this was a Cat 4/5 race? No explanation needed. Just that fact made for an interesting race. There was a strong Cat 5 wearing the yellow jersey who kept attacking, and then was just pulling us for a while. Space Coast enjoyed the break while he did the work. Taylor gave it a go looking for someone to get in a break early on in the race, but didn’t stay out too long. I chased a small group of three and pretty much pulled them back.
Like savvy racers, the Colavita boys in this race sat back and waited patiently to make their move when it counted. I had Bradley on my wheel a few klicks from the finish and made a deal to lead him out. Of course in the end you have to be in FRONT of someone to actually lead them out, something I haven’t quite been able to do yet. I hugged the yellow line and waited for the 1 K sign when the whole road opened up for the sprint to the finish. Foolish me, for not everyone waited, and moved all over the road before the pre determined open road spot. I saw Taylor fly past me on the left, and picked my way as best as I could to the line. Slow riders littered the road as they blew up left and right. I admire those Colavita racers as they manage many times to either be in the right position ahead of the sprint and not get boxed in, or are able to shoot through narrow openings to make it to the finish ahead of everyone else. The Space Coast lead out got their man to the line first, but Bradley nabbed second just a tire width ahead of Taylor who got third. This was a fine result for Colavita, occupying the second and third steps on the podium.
There isn’t any teamwork in the individual time trial, but I know how hard these guys ride to achieve the fast times they post. They are all machines! Sunday was a whole other story at the Winter Haven downtown crit. Another beautiful blue sky perfect temperature day and a great 8 corner crit course awaited us. The Cat 4/5 race was the last race of the day, so I had the chance to take photos and watch all the other races before ours.
The second race of the morning, the older juniors race was incredible. The Colavita team had a hand in every attack and counter attack and blocking and chasing and finished second, third and fourth in the 17-18s and third and fifth in the 15-16s. I learned later how tough it was out there when the whistle blew to start the Cat 4/5 race. I knew it would be hard and fast from the beginning, but knowing and doing are two different things.
Thanks to the cheering and yells to move up (I’m barley hanging on, how can I move up?!!?), and especially to Diane encouraging me to close the gap when I was almost popped off the back. I somehow managed to stay in the main field. I thought I was in decent shape, but wow, this course which was fun, took everything in me to stay in there. I so much wanted to help with a pull or lead out or something, but only managed to block for a couple moments when Taylor was off the front. I missed helping when Casey was out there, and I know Ian did an incredible amount of work at the front. I knew I had to get up front before the last lap, but couldn’t do it. There was enough of a straight away before turn 6, so I tried to pass riders up the right side, making sure to avoid the protruding median, then watch out for the cyclists swinging wide before the turn. It wasn’t enough and I missed Bradley’s awesome sprint to take third place. These boys and girls who represent Colavita in Florida are amazing. It is hard and intense and they are right up there. Well done all Colavita Juniors. You are all awesome!!!
It is certainly one thing to watch the hard work the Colavita juniors put in to train and race, but by racing alongside the Cat 4 racers I have an even greater appreciation for the efforts of these competitors. The Winter Haven Cycling Classic race weekend showcased the teamwork and skill level the Colavita cyclists have developed. I raced along side Casey, Taylor, Ian, Bradley, Brandon, Christian and Anselm on Saturday in orange grove country on a supposedly 14 mile loop for three laps (turns out the loop was a bit less than 13 miles).
The weather was nearly perfect save for the breeze coming out somewhere from the north. Maybe it was the wind or the fact that the participants were thinking about the 7 mile time trial (which turned out to be more like 8 miles) which kept the overall pace of the race at times a leisurely tempo. Maybe no one wanted to pull into the wind, but that was mostly on the last lap. Space Coast rode at the front for the most of two laps, but slid back on lap three before leading out Daniel Curio in the end to victory.
Did I mention this was a Cat 4/5 race? No explanation needed. Just that fact made for an interesting race. There was a strong Cat 5 wearing the yellow jersey who kept attacking, and then was just pulling us for a while. Space Coast enjoyed the break while he did the work. Taylor gave it a go looking for someone to get in a break early on in the race, but didn’t stay out too long. I chased a small group of three and pretty much pulled them back.
Like savvy racers, the Colavita boys in this race sat back and waited patiently to make their move when it counted. I had Bradley on my wheel a few klicks from the finish and made a deal to lead him out. Of course in the end you have to be in FRONT of someone to actually lead them out, something I haven’t quite been able to do yet. I hugged the yellow line and waited for the 1 K sign when the whole road opened up for the sprint to the finish. Foolish me, for not everyone waited, and moved all over the road before the pre determined open road spot. I saw Taylor fly past me on the left, and picked my way as best as I could to the line. Slow riders littered the road as they blew up left and right. I admire those Colavita racers as they manage many times to either be in the right position ahead of the sprint and not get boxed in, or are able to shoot through narrow openings to make it to the finish ahead of everyone else. The Space Coast lead out got their man to the line first, but Bradley nabbed second just a tire width ahead of Taylor who got third. This was a fine result for Colavita, occupying the second and third steps on the podium.
There isn’t any teamwork in the individual time trial, but I know how hard these guys ride to achieve the fast times they post. They are all machines! Sunday was a whole other story at the Winter Haven downtown crit. Another beautiful blue sky perfect temperature day and a great 8 corner crit course awaited us. The Cat 4/5 race was the last race of the day, so I had the chance to take photos and watch all the other races before ours.
The second race of the morning, the older juniors race was incredible. The Colavita team had a hand in every attack and counter attack and blocking and chasing and finished second, third and fourth in the 17-18s and third and fifth in the 15-16s. I learned later how tough it was out there when the whistle blew to start the Cat 4/5 race. I knew it would be hard and fast from the beginning, but knowing and doing are two different things.
Thanks to the cheering and yells to move up (I’m barley hanging on, how can I move up?!!?), and especially to Diane encouraging me to close the gap when I was almost popped off the back. I somehow managed to stay in the main field. I thought I was in decent shape, but wow, this course which was fun, took everything in me to stay in there. I so much wanted to help with a pull or lead out or something, but only managed to block for a couple moments when Taylor was off the front. I missed helping when Casey was out there, and I know Ian did an incredible amount of work at the front. I knew I had to get up front before the last lap, but couldn’t do it. There was enough of a straight away before turn 6, so I tried to pass riders up the right side, making sure to avoid the protruding median, then watch out for the cyclists swinging wide before the turn. It wasn’t enough and I missed Bradley’s awesome sprint to take third place. These boys and girls who represent Colavita in Florida are amazing. It is hard and intense and they are right up there. Well done all Colavita Juniors. You are all awesome!!!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Winter Haven General Classification
Junior 10-12
Tate Harper 6th
Junior 15-16
Briana Luthman 6th
Category 3
Jos Chalmers 1st
Women 3/4
Michelle Blake 1st
Tate Harper 6th
Junior 13-14
Zoe Mullins 4th
James Mertens 8th
Kyle Deschenes 10th
Anselm Teather 14th
Junior 15-16
Briana Luthman 6th
Junior 17-18
Brandon Forman 2nd
Bradley Gordon 4th
Jos Chalmers 7th
Ian McGauvran 8th
Taylor Warren 9th
Category 3
Jos Chalmers 1st
Category 4
Taylor Warren 1st (tie)
Bradley Gordon 5th
Dean Warren 9th
Casey Braga 12th
Ian McGauvran 16th
John Gibson 34th
Women 3/4
Michelle Blake 1st
Winter Haven Race Weekend
Saturday
Road Race
Junior 10-12Tate Harper 1st
Junior 13-14
Zoe Mullins 5th
James Mertens 10th
Kyle Deschenes 12th
Junior 15-16
Briana Luthman 8th
Junior 17-18
Bradley Gordon 2nd
Brandon Forman 3rd
Category 3
Jos Chalmers 7th
Category 4
Bradley Gordon 2nd
Taylor Warren 3rd
Dean Warren 7th
Casey Braga 13th
Ian McGauvran 27th
Women 3/4
Michelle Blake 3rd
Time Trial
Junior 13-14
Zoe Mullins 24:26 6th
James Mertens 26:35 10th
Kyle Deschenes 27:21 12th
Junior 15-16
Casey Braga 20:12 2nd
Briana Luthman 25:27 7th
Junior 17-18
Brandon Forman 21:46 4th
Category 3
Jos Chalmers 17:46 1st
Category 4
Taylor Warren 19:23 2nd
John Gibson 20:09 8th
Ian McGauvran 20:331 10th
Dean Warren (flat)
Women 3/4
Michelle Blake 23:12 3rd
Sunday
Criterium
Junior 10-12
Tate Harper 1st
Junior 13-14
Zoe Mullins 6th
Anselm Teather 7th
James Mertens 10th
Kyle Deschenes 12th
Junior 15-16
Casey Braga 3rd
Christian Teather 5th
Briana Luthman 11th
Junior 17-18
Jos Chalmers 2nd
Ian McGauvran 3rd
Taylor Warren 4th
Bradley Gordon 9th
Brandon Forman 12th
Category 3
Jos Chalmers 4th
Category 4
Bradley Gordon 3rd
Taylor Warren 5th
Casey Braga 12th
Dean Warren 17th
Ian McGauvran 22nd
Brandon Forman 29th
Women 3/4
Michelle Blake 4th
Thursday, March 4, 2010
March Florida Racing Magazine
The latest Florida Racing Magazine is out and guess what team is dominating this issue's pages? Colavita! From the wonderful articles on the Winter Garden and Tallahassee junior races written by Dean Warren (pgs 18-19 for Winter Garden and 40-41 for Tallahassee) to more press for Jos Chalmers, this time as the next member of "the Players Club" (pg 30-31). Michelle Blake also shows her support for Colavita in the letters to the editor section (pgs 8-10) and received a mention for her win in the Lake Mary Criterium (pgs 22-23). Click here to read these and all of the other great articles in the March edition of Florida Racing Magazine.
Just for the fun of it, we went through and counted the number of pages in the current issue that have photos of our Team Colavita junior racers. The grand total was 13 pages, some with multiple shots per page. (pgs: 21-23, 30-31, 34,40-41, 76-77, 81-82, 84)
Can't wait for the next issue!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tallahassee Photos
Alex Spook (1st) and Jos Chalmers (2nd) on the junior 17-18 circuit race podium
Jos (1st) and Alex (3rd) on the podium for the category 3 circuit race
Michelle Blake on the top step for the womens 3/4 circuit race podium
Team Colavita swept the top three with Ian McGauvran (1st), Brandon Forman (2nd) and Jos Chalmers (3rd) in the junior 17-18 road race.
Casey Braga took 1st in the junior 15-16 road race
Jos Chalmers took 1st in the men category 3 overall for the Tallahassee stage race.
Photos By Michelle Blake
Tallahassee Race Weekend Results
Saturday
Circuit Race
Junior 13-14James Mertens 9th
Junior 17-18
Alex Spook 1st
Jos Chalmers 2nd
Brandon Forman 7th
Category 3
Jos Chalmers 1st
Alex Spook 3rd
Category 4
Casey Braga 7th
Ian McGauvran 20th
Women 3/4
Michelle Blake 1st
Time Trial
Junior 13-14
James Mertens 8:12 9th
Junior 15-16
Casey Braga 6:07 1st
Junior 17-18
Brandon Forman
Category 3
Jos Chalmers 5:40 1st
Alex Spook 5:56 5th
Category 4
Casey Braga 6:07 5th
Women 3/4
Michelle Blake 7:06 2nd
Sunday
Road Race
Junior 13-14
James Mertens 10th
Junior 15-16
Casey Braga 1st
Junior 17-18
Ian McGauvran 1st
Brandon Forman 2nd
Jos Chalmers 3rd
Alex Spook (2 Flat tires)
Category 3
Jos Chalmers 5th
Alex Spook (Flat tire)
Category 4
Casey Braga 17th (Flat tire)
Ian McGauvran 19th
Brandon Forman 21st
Women 3/4
Michelle Blake 2nd (2 Flat tires)
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Team Colavita acquired a total of 6 flat tires this weekend but we also left Tallahassee with 7 race wins and one over all general classification win. Nice job everyone!
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