Liza makes it 2 wins in 2 days at Madera- by L. Rachetto

Race Report: Stage 1, Madera Criterium
Approximately 32 starters Pro 1-3 Women

Five of the SugarCRM women lined up to race stage 1 in Madera with a time trial in the afternoon, our plan was to race a little more conservative since the race was likely to come down to a field sprint. Code 3/Honda Hopkins, TIBCO and Touchstone had some strong riders that would be motivated to race today. Our plan was to follow moves, try a few attacks and if a field sprint was likely, set up a lead out.
A majority of the attacks came from Touchstone as a few of their riders spent some time off the front. A few solo riders, TIBCO, Jane Despas, Emily Zell were motivated and kept the field together. Erin Dunn, MaryEllen Ash and Kim Fong assisted in covering moves that could be threatening. Lindsay Myers put in a solid attack with 8 laps to go. A few laps later Touchstone put Cara Gillis on the attack with the field playing Cat and Mouse with who would chase. Eventually TIBCO put their riders to the front and brought back the move. With two laps to go Touchstone started a leadout, but with one lap to go TIBCO started taking over with Sarah Bamberger and Mary Ellen Ash on the train. On the left Lindsay Myers picked up the speed to allow me to take her draft around the final corner. As the finish was near it looked like Sarah was going to take the win, so I dug deep to come around her just barely at the line. First win in the pro-women field of the 2009 season.


Race Report: Stage 3, Madera RR
30 Starters, 4 teammates
Our top rider Lindsay Myers finished 8th in the time trial on Sunday. We knew she would be a marked rider, so our options were to send Maryellen, Erin, or Kim up the road solo or in a break. Initially there was a Davis rider who quickly escaped off the front solo and stayed off for about 8miles, however Maryellen and a few riders rolled through at the front to bring her back. The next lap was relatively inactive until a break of about 7 got away; SugarCRM was represented with Erin Dunn. Two riders (Touchstone and unattached) escaped from this break and stayed out front for almost another lap, after they were caught a few counter attacks occurred but rolled together for another ½ a lap. It was a bit discouraging that teams were really not interested in racing aggressively, but instead pulling at the front. I attempted an attack for a few minutes off the front to shake things up, but otherwise the field stayed intact until the final 2 km. Touchstone and TIBCO were the only possible threats at the front and also good protection from the wind. I instructed Lindsay to stay on my wheel incase we could jump clear as riders were trying to position themselves for the sprint, but I jumped with Alison Starnes from TIBCO. With some solid power she provided a good leadout and I came around her at the end for the win.