Gatineau Criterium race report, by Christopher Bernard

Chris in action. click for bigger. photo by Bernard DurandIt was a really hot and sunny day that was waiting for us when we got to the critérium de Gatineau Sunday morning. This race was held in complement to the Gatineau International Grand Prix, an event that is seen as the potential substitutes to the UCI women world cup that Montreal just lost. Despite a low participation rate, well under the organisation expectations, we found out a way to put on a good show for the spectators that were present. The race was even more exciting for them because of the very unusual type of circuit that we were facing: a part of the boulevard des alumetières, in Gatineau, in between of two rounds-a-bouts… This race was not going to be a usual one!

To sort out the low participation rate issue, the organization had the idea to mash-up the Master’s, Junior’s and Senior’s race so that there were more than 4 racers per race. The only problem with that solution was the strength difference.  Between a master D and a junior there can be a difference of over 40 years of age so to even the things up a little, we would do a handicapped race. That means that the master C and D would have ¾ of a lap of advance on the rest of us and that to win the race we’d have to get them.  

My teammate, Kiernan Orange, and I were feeling very good for that race. There wasn’t any kind of pressure on us considering the fact that we were the only two juniors.  This race would be more of training for the both of us then a real race. The strategy was ready and simple: stay in the top 5 for the whole race so we don’t get trapped behind a fall in a round-a-bout and try to get in a breakaway with the riders we had spotted.  
The whole race was a charm, the strategy went perfectly. Kiernan attacked of the start to stretch the pack a bit and maybe lose one or two guys.  My job at that point was basically to stay in the pack, keep it cool and don’t let anybody go without me on their wheel. That worked perfectly and eventually Kiernan decided he had enough of being alone and got back in the pack. The race was going pretty fast and we were controlling it, but we just couldn’t make up any ground on the master C and D. As we were trying to control the race, there were many attempts of breakaways, we could always get in there without many problems and often after a lap it was over.

Halfway through the race, the guy we had spotted before the race attacked.  We knew he was strong and so we couldn’t let him go. Right after he went, Kiernan jumped on his wheel and I followed.  We knew that one could be the good one, and after one lap we had a fairly good gap. Until the end of the race it would only be me, Kiernan and our breakaway partner. With 15 minutes to go we were starting to catch up the last Master C and D. Our breakaway was going really well and everybody was doing their job. I was designated as the sprinter for this one and so when Kiernan realized I was suffering he started to take longer turns up the front to help me. That really made the difference, so until one lap to go we were working perfectly together aiming for the first riders that were approximately 10 to 15 seconds in front of us. In the last lap it was obvious that we couldn’t make it and so at the end of the second last round-a-bout I attacked to try to maybe catch the two guys in front of me or at least finish third. It worked perfectly and I came third, 6 seconds behind the guys in front of me.  

That wasn’t that much of a big deal considering the fact that the two masters that beat me were Ride with Rendall Riders and so there for my teammates as well! Conclusion of this race: our team totally controlled the race from beginning to the end and we got great results.  Kiernan Orange ended up 5th; he had no gas left… I really owe him one!  

All in all, it was a really fun race. The temperature was perfect, no serious accidents came to disturb the course of the race and the results were there.  That sets the bar pretty high for our team for the upcoming criterium next Sunday on Preston Street in downtown Ottawa…

- Christopher Bernard, Ride with Rendall