New for 2012: Skills Clinic

This year's Ann Arbor Spring Training Series will kick off a week earlier than normal with a skills clinic. This clinic is intended for new and experienced racers alike to learn and practice both basic and advanced skills of bike handling. It will take place Sunday, March 25, 9:00 am – noon at the race course. Additional details are available on the skills clinic page.

2012 Ann Arbor Spring Training Series

The 2012 race session is a few months away but we're starting to put together details for the 28th annual Ann Arbor Spring Training Series (STS). Check out the dates and details listed on this site to get a sense of the calendar for 2012.

Week #4 Recap, results, and overall standings

The last week of the Ann Arbor STS was windy to say the least. Those who managed to not get blown off the course fought hard for the final overall points in every category. Cutting straight to overall, the top 5 in each category fell out as follows. Results for the week and full overall standings are on the results page.

Thanks to Pear Tree Pens for donating some primes for the final week's races. Mark your calendars for the Cone-Azalia Classic Road Race p/b Pear Tree Pens on May 1!

"C" overall
1. George Bracken (41)
2. Stephen Doll (37)
3. Jody Cagle (35)
4. Jeff Plotzke (30)
5. Chris Roper (27)

Women's overall
1. Grace Singleton (25)
2. Hana Berkooz (22)
3. Laura Johnson (20)
4. Sarah Demerly (12)
5. Chelsea Clark (10)

"B" overall
1. Scott Gifford (38)
2. David Manges (33)
3. Joe Lekovish (31)
4. Jody Cagle (28)
5. Seth Kleinglass (26)

"A" overall
1. Tim Finkel (54)
2. Robert Foshag (43)
3. Vince Roberge (42)
4. Alexey Vermeulen (39)
5. Alan Antonuk (30)

Week #4 Cook Out!

Skies should be dry again this Sunday for the last Ann Arbor STS race, and to celebrate the end of the training races and beginning of the "real" racing (Michigan Race Series) that starts in two weeks, we'll be cooking out! The grilling will start about the time "A" race starts, roughly 11:30. We'll have brats, burgers, chips and drinks. So plan to stick around, bring your own fruits, veggies, or other sides you want, and enjoy the day. Pass the word!

Week #3 video

Video from the start, mid-race, and finish line camera during week #3, including the C, B, and A races. Our camera operator was working during the women's race so we'll make sure to capture some action during that race in week #4.

Week #3 Recap and Results

The fog rolled in for the start of week 3, but with temps at 45°—almost three times warmer than 2 weeks ago—and chance of rain disappearing, not too many people were complaining. By the time the A race started, the temps we in the 70s and everyone was no trying to get used to the “heat”.

The C race saw a few moves go early but generally stayed together, though, single file with a high pace. With about 5 laps to go one rider rolled off the front, taking about a 15 second lead. With 3 to go the very strong new comer, Evan Boese, took chase as finished as the lone rider off the front.

The women's race was fast from the start with the small field working well together and staying single file throughout their contest. When it came to the finish, Sarah Demerly took charge and took the sprint.

"B" field stacked up at the finish line.

The warm weather helped the field sizes grow, and the B race saw a good sized field keep a good tempo throughout the race, made more challenging as the fog burned off and the winds picked up on the back side of the course. David Manges made a late race escape, staying clear of a crash that took out a few riders in the sprint, and he finished just off the front of the rest of the charging field.

The A race was again quick but battling into the growing headwind on the backstretch meant good chances for a break to roll away. Vince Roberge went early and fast, soon joined by 5 others before leaving them behind to lap the field on his own and go back off the front again. A couple chase groups slipped away in the second half of the race leaving the field to fight for 13th place, while Vince hung on strong for the win.

Full results are posted on the results page.

Prizes for the Women's Race Sunday!

The Ann Arbor Velo Club's women's team has put up $50 in prizes for the women's race this week. Pass along the word, and have women racers in the area take advantage of the warm forecast for Sunday.