Official Race Report: OMFG, IT WAS HOT!!
Secondary Official Race Report: I attended my 45th (false) Air Force Association Cycling Classic – Clarendon Cup #AmericanCriterium race. In comparison to several previous editions of this event, I will admit there were more in attendance than usual. The live feed returned with Brad Sohner doing the color commentary alongside none other than Marty Nothstein. A new addition, which I’m probably wrong about, were the camera motos—definitely put the coverage over the top. Also, ‘DAT JUMBOTRON. Game was definitely stepped up this year.
Tertiary Official Race Report: I rented a sweet optical cannon from Lens Pro To Go, to see if it’s something I’d want to use for shooting Interbike/CrossVegas. I opted to play with Nikon’s holy grail lens—the 24-70mm 2.8. It did not disappoint. I, however, have a lot to learn when it comes to shooting with that beast. Regardless, it was amazing.
PRO 1/2 VROUWEN
Despite my best intentions to arrive at the #AFACCCC bevoor the ladies set off in search of equal prize monies ($10,000 men/women), I did not. I arrived, the race nearly over, Bug in the back of the Xtracycle, finding Lauren Stephens about to salute (actual post up was a salute, because Air Force) her way to a commanding win.
Boredom’s LIKE A BAWS moment was local badass Lindsay Bayer (@thedirtfield) wearing the entire peloton on her back, shelling spent watts casings as she blazed across the line voor laatste ronde. Heard more than a few spectators gasp in sheer amazement as they witnessed raw power.
I arrive, late as usual, to see Lauren Stephens rolling OTF like a baws, snapping this shot realizing the sweet rental lens is not *that* wide angled. Hence, everything cut off.
Lauren was absolutely railing these turns. No line corrections, just fastness.
Oh hai, Laura Van Gilder (right), winningest North American female cyclist ever.
Coryn Rivera took the sprint for second. She is not slow.
Most Heroic/Courageous Rider: LINDSAY BAYER!!
PRO 1/2 MANNEN
The field seemed to be mas fuerte despite Tulsa Tough also being run on the same weekend. And also despite there not being a marquee section like Crybaby Hill to break the will and legs of the skinsuited peloton, the 92º temps, high humidity, and 100km of racin’ does the breaking just fine. United HealthCare did what they always do, make the field look hopelessly overmatched, delievering Hilton Clarke across the line first after he was in the break that lapped the field.
Jared Nieters shows off his collection of cold beverages. He voiced his concern as to the location of Eric Griffin who was scheduled to hand out said cold beverages during the race.
DJ Brew is not slow.
A Brief Interlude: Bug Meets Coryn and the UHC Ladies
This moment is hitting on 2 levels. First: seeing then meeting some of the fastest ladies on two wheels and catching stoke vibes. Second: meeting a fellow Filapina and catching pinay stoke vibes.
That face!!
Conclusion Of Interlude
Your eyes do not deceive you. Jared’s riding an aluminum Van Dessel Hellafaster among the crabon peloton.
My favorite shot of the race. I would like to thank everyone who made this possible.
Olympian, and repeat podium stepper, Bobby Lea.
See Scott? See Scott in shot? See Scott shoot shots in shot? Shoot shots in shot, Scott! (Scott Kingsley – @pub_cap_scott)
In case you hadn’t noticed, DJ’s bike is blue. I’m going to officially name his bike Blue so I can call it Brew’s Blue.
Running 6 wide going into a downhill, high-speed turn—rubbin’s racing definitely describes crit racing.
Bummed I didn’t have my shit together to remember this was Adam Myerson’s laatste Clarendon Cup. Not enough snaps and no thoughts on the moment. #notexcite
Oh hai, Brad Sohner. (later, I would discover he was co-commentating with none other than Marty Nothstein!!)
Shots From The Pace Car
WINNAH, WINNAH, VEGEMITE DINNAH!!
Alex: “Send me a copy of that.”
Nothing more glamorous than baking in the sun waiting for the podium presentation. Hanging out with actual cycling photographers: Scott Kingsley of Bike World News and Darrell Parks of PezCyclingNews.
Self-portrait met bakfiets.
