Western Canada Games and 4th Weekend of the Spring Series

In the latest spring series race weekend the Grants, Van der Vliets, Ellsays, Merrick, and Duncans went over and raced on the challenging Atomic road race course, 272^nd Course, or the Western Canada games spring camp.

In the Western Canada Games spring camp junior riders Jordan Duncan, Andrew Grant, Jake Van der Vliet, Kia Van der Vliet, and Gillian Ellsay participated the two day camp that included a hill climb, time trial, and track time on the Burnaby Velodrome.

In the novice 272^nd road race Kia Van der Vliet began her 2011 season by working together with another older rider too finish midpack after reeling rider after rider.

In the U17 272^nd road race James and Mark Grant attacked from the get go and took 1^st and 3^rd after 5 laps on the course.

The Saturday “C” Atomic road race Jake Van der Vliet, and Andrew and Steve Grant lined up on the challenging Atomic road race that featured tough climbs, narrow roads, and wickedly fast descents. Steve, Jake, and Andrew were all dropped after numerous surges strung out the field.

In the “B” atomic road race John Van der Vliet, Nigel Ellsay, Doug Merrick, and Jordan Duncan lined up on the challenging course. Just as in the “C” race the challenging course took its toll as John, then Nigel, then Doug were dropped during the race. Jordan Duncan took a top 10 in the sprint finished that featured a fast descent coming into a narrow, winding finish.

Sundays 272^nd course had riders racing around the hilly Aldergrove Lake Regional Park on a 7km circuit that had rough roads, winding climbs, numerous potholes, and some fast corners that help decide the race.

In the “C” 272^nd road race rider Andrew and Steve Grant, and Jake Van der Vliet lined up under sunny weather to contest the 63km race. Steve was dropped earlier on as surges, and potholes stretched out the field. In the finishing sprint Andrew came in for a top ten finish while Jake, after riding his wheel as it flatted, took a top 15 finish.

In the B finish Doug Merrick and Nigel Ellsay (Trail Eatmore Sprouts Cycling Team) lined up for the 105km road race that featured numerous pinch flats from the potholes, and careful positioning in certain narrow sections to come out on top. Just over half-way through the race Doug dropped out after the surges deadened his legs. Nigel Ellsay overcame some early knee pains, and the tough pace to come out on top in the sprint finish as he took his second road race win of the season that has only seen him on the podium four times of the five races he has started.