AZ State Championship Criterium
This years state championship course was quite technical, with a sharp 180 degree (“hot dog”) corner directly following the Start/Finish, eight 90 degree corners in the challenging back section, and a long finishing straight. The location was rather entertaining as well, right in the heart of downtown Phoenix. Most certainly an interesting and difficult course.
Rick Ellwanger raced in the 65+’s, and handled the course well. He brought home a silver medal, finishing 2nd right behind Southwest Hand’s Ralph Duckett.
Victor Riquelme and Kurt Garbe came out with high hopes for the day after recent high placings for our Cat.4 team. Kurt worked to control the pace on the front while Riquelme sat in the draft. Late in the race Vic crashed when his rear tire exploded inside of turn 7. He ran his bike back to the Start/Finish, got a new wheel, and was given a free lap and allowed back into the race. Unfortunately, he sustained multiple injuries in the wreck, was dropped by the peloton, and finished almost a lap back. Kurt was forced to change strategies and try to win for himself. He finished with the peloton.
Riquelme will spend some time on the disabled list, rehabilitating a wrist injury.
