Apr. 10 , 2010
9TH PLACE FOR ZENN RACING AT THE LAST ROUND OF FORT ORD CIRCUIT RACE SERIES
Zenn Racing Team: Chris Ott
Monterey, CA - A field of approximately 35 riders lined up for the last race of the Fort Ord Circuit race series. Of the notable teams present were Art's Cyclery, represented by 5 riders including Madera Stage race winner Matt Carino, and sprint specialist Nate Erickson. Also represented was team Safeway with 2010 BAR leader (Best All-round Rider), Nick Theobald, Dan Martin, Kyle Gelum, and Jeff Poulson. Additionally, several other notable teams such as SJBC, Joselyn's, and Kinetic with leader, Matt Ream would have an impact on the day's race. Zenn Racing Team would have only Chris Ott as the solo representative from Zenn.
Knowing that marking every move would be difficult, Chris Ott needed to play the race smart. The tactics were difficult, as this race saw attack after counter attack from Art's Cyclery teammates and team Safeway. At one point a move containing 6 strong riders opened a gap of nearly 30 seconds. Ott realized this could be the move of the day, and put some hard turns at the front along with much appreciated help from Kinetic's Matt Ream. The heated, steady pace took a toll on the field and many were left behind during these hard laps. Having two riders in the break, the Art's Cyclery team did everything they could to effectively disrupt the chase. But with Ott and Ream's efforts, they were able to pull back all but two of the breakaway riders, Safeway's Nick Theobald and eventual winner from Art's Cyclery Craig Nunes.
Immediately after the catch was made, a counter attack went from Doug Philippone along with one other rider. The remainder of field seemed to lack any ambition and had dwindled down significantly in size. Within two miles of the finish, Matt Carino from Art's Cyclery and Dan Martin from Safeway launched a move which nobody responded. Ott hesitated briefly, as he was now marking sprinters Nate Erickson and Giant Strawberry's Keith DeFeibre. The group would not pull Matt or Dan back and they maintained a 3-5 second gap to the line. This meant there were a total of six off the front and the pack was sprinting for 7th. Not known as a sprinter, Chris Ott still managed to come around Safeway rider Kyle Glerum and Keith DeFeibre at the line for 3rd in the field sprint (9th place overall). Sprinting Ace, Nate Erickson from Art's would win the field sprint for 7th place overall.
After the race, Chris described the race as tactical, and unfortunately he seemed to be on the wrong end of it to contest a podium finish today. That said, he put in some big efforts and provided some of the necessary horsepower to bring back the day's most threatening move. Unfortunately that left him caught out when the counter attacks went. When all is said and done, it's another top 10 result for the Zenn Racing Team, providing sponsors with great exposure and consistent presence on the Northern California racing schedule.
