RACE REPORT: Shanghai, FHL Race #1

The first race of the season was postponed yesterday due to weather, and when I woke up this morning I was SURE it was going to rain. I'm happy it didn't . . . . The first FHL race of the season supported by TREK and Shimano (2009崔克上海自行车联赛2009赛季：金桥SHIMANO杯) started this morning, with the 'A'grade riders leaving the start around 9:15am for 60km. B Grade would do 38km, with the MTB riders doing 29km. It was nice to see everyone in their new team kits, as well as some new and familiar faces. It was obvious that Specialized and TREK were well represented with 6(7?) and 5 riders respectively. MaxRacing was also well represented, even though they have had a couple of departures over the offseason, and Panaracer/Bikehome was lucky enough to grab Paul Toohey recently to help round out its team. There was also 1 additional rider on the line. . . . . . although no one had seen him before, and his name is still unknown. He was dressed completely in black, and wearing a cape and mask. He is known to us only as FOREVER MAN, and he officially was awarded BEST BIKE IN THE BUNCH.

There he is. . . . to some a mystery, to some a hero, to some a great lover, to others a guy in a cape. . .

Notable absentees were Andrew Hay, and Alexander Baumstark from MAXSHRacing. The A Race started (as usual) with a hard attach from Cui Yinhao of TREK. For those of you who are unaware, Cui was in a bad crash in Huangshan last week and has not been able to ride (walk) this week. The TREK team was not sure he would be able to start, let alone attack off the gun! The first few laps were filled with attacks with the bunch consistently pulling them back. One rider of note was certainly Kaiyuan Wang of "MOST IMPROVED RIDER" status who was involved in 3 long breakaways. He rode extremely hard and came close to pulling this one off! Special note to aggressive riders Allen Leuth and Robbie at team MaxSHRacing who also rode aggressively on his BEAUTIFUL new Wilier (please send me a pic - ed!)

Trent and Eric were common figures near the front. . .

At around 10 laps to go Kaiyuan and Simon Cui of Team Specialized China broke away from the bunch and worked hard to slowly get off the front of the bunch.

There they go. . .

As the laps went by, the consistently increased their lead over the charging group with some VERY strong riding. At 3 laps to go they were still away and the group was almost asleep with a few riders going off the front. At last the group came aroung a corner at 2 laps to go to realise that Simon had ridden away from Kaiyuan and all hell broke loose.

Rob, Eric and Chia. . . .

TCR (TREK China Racing) worked very hard at the front to try to bring Simon Cui back but it was too late. . .

Simon was the strongest, and in his typical style - won in a break!

The (sprinters?) podium

Specialized took 1-2 with Chia Kung winning the group sprint over Cui Yinhao (TCR).

Full results and a write-up on 'B' to follow soon! Stay Classy!