Frazier Cycling's NRC Series Weekend

By Ralph Frazier

May 5, 2008

On Saturday, May 3, 2008, Frazier Cycling appeared at the Sunny King Criterium in Anniston, AL, and then raced in the Nalley Historic Roswell Criterium on Sunday.   Both races are stops on USA Cycling's NRC (National Racing Calendar) series.

Sunday's race was particularly important for the team because Russell Tindol was able to attend and cheer on his teammates. 

Sunny King Criterium - May 3, 2008

We took 23 Juniors to race at Anniston's Sunny King Criterium.  Seventeen participated in the Junior Classification race with four Junior Women competing in the Women's Cat 3/4 race and two Junior Men's Cat 4 race. 

Also competing for Frazier Cycling was Johnny Mayero in the Men's Cat 2/3 race, Renata Shore in the Women's Cat 3/4 race, and Jenny Macrae in the Women's Cat 3/4 race.

Johnny Mayero had the top performance of the day by staying with the super-fast Cat 2's.  He finished the race in the main field with an average speed more than 26 mph.

Carrie Burke turned in our best performance among Junior Women by placing 5^th in the Women's Cat 3/4 race and winning prize money.  David Goodman raced to our best performance for Junior Men with his 17^th place finish and 25.1 mph average speed in the Men's Cat 4 race.

Frazier Cycling Junior Medalists

Junior Men 10-12, Philip O'Donnell, 2^nd  place

Junior Men 10-12, Fletcher Lydick, 3^rd place

Junior Women 10-12, Brenna Burke, 1^st place

Junior Women 10-12, Abigail Aldridge, 2^nd place

Junior Men 13/14, Andrew Macrae, 1^st place

Junior Men 13/14, Sam Tomaka, 3^rd place

Junior Women 13/14, Brittney Hartley, 1^st place

Nalley Historic Roswell Criterium - Russell Tindol Inspires Team - May 4, 2008

For this year's Nalley Historic Roswell Criterium, Frazier Cycling entered 26 racers, of which 25 were Juniors.  Nine Juniors doubled by racing their Junior Classification race and a Category race.  As result, we had 35 entries.

The race director, Michael Johnson, and race organizers made special arrangements for Russell Tindol be driven to the start/finish where he could watch and cheer on his teammates.  Frazier Cycling Juniors visited with Russell prior to the start of their races.  For most members, this was the first time they had seen Russell since the ROPES team building training back on April 20^th.  Only two days later, Russell had surgery to remove a brain tumor.

Russell's presence and cheering were great inspiration to the team.  Many of our Juniors responded their season best performances. 

Russell's inspiration was a huge motivator to our Junior Women who participated in the Women's Cat 3/4 race.  Carrie Burke, Zoe Frazier, Melissa Goodman, and Dominique Shore gave their best efforts of the year.   Carrie Burke stayed near the front the entire race, but she started to fade with four laps to go.  As Carrie started to drift back, Zoe asked "What's wrong?"  "I can't do it anymore," Carrie replied.  Zoe responded, "Come on, we are racing for Russell!"  With that rallying call, Carrie dug deep and went on to finish in fifth place!  Zoe crossed the line in fourth.  Melissa finished in the same time in 10^th place, while Dominique finished her best Women's race just moments behind!  This was the best showing by our Junior Women since the 2007 Nationals!

More examples of Russell's effect on the team...

Andrew Macrae finished the Men's Cat 4/5 race in the field sprint (31^st overall) and set our club record for the 13-year-old Boy's Age Group's fastest ride with an average speed over 26 mph!  There were 97 racers at the start with 57 finishers.  This was by far the largest field on the day.  Nick Frazier (21^st overall) and David Goodman (13^th overall) assisted Andrew throughout the race, staying near the front and out of harm's way.

Julian Zehr finished in 3^rd place, winning the bronze medal, among the Junior Men's 15-16 group.  His average speed for the eleven mile race was more the 24 mph putting him into our 24-mph Club. This was Julian's all-time top result!

In the same race, Hunter Lydick finished in the main field for the first time and he demolished his personal speed record by cracking the 24-mph average to join Julian as a 24-mph Club member.  Hunter's best race ever!

Other top performances:

Junior Men 10-12, Philip O'Donnell, 1^st place

Junior Men 10-12, Fletcher Lydick, 3^rd place

Junior Women 10-12, Dominique Shore, 1^st place

Junior Women 10-12, Abigail Aldridge, 2^nd place

Junior Women 10-12, Brenna Burke, 3^rd place

Junior Men 13/14, Andrew Macrae, 2nd place

Junior Men 13/14, Andrew Hodges, 3^rd place

Junior Women 13/14, Zoe Frazier, 1^st place

Junior Women 13/14, Melissa Goodman, 2^nd place

Junior Women 13/14, Brittney Hartley, 3^rd place

Junior Men 15/16, David Goodman, 2^nd place

Junior Men 15/16, Julian Zehr, 3^rd place

Junior Women 15/16, Carrie Burke, 1^st place

It was very noticeable to Coach Kelli and me how the team responded to Russell and really gave it their all.  Russell is a true inspiration to entire the team.  They promise to give their best efforts and dedicate every race to Russell in support of his success with his upcoming treatments.

Frazier Cycling thanks Michael Johnson, race organizers, race volunteers, officials, parents, and everyone who contributed to making this race special!