Apr. 11 , 2010
5TH PLACE FOR ZENN RACING TEAM AT A COLD, RAINY DAY AT SPRING HILL ROAD RACE
Zenn Racing Team: Scott Fonseca, Chris Ott
Petaluma, CA - With torrential weather conditions: wind, rain, and cold, only the brave, or insane, started the Spring Hill Road Race on Sunday. Among the starters Team Morgan Stanley was represented by several riders including Chris Phipps. Also present was Nick Theobald of Safeway (current BAR leader), along with several other strong riders from various teams such as John Trefethen from Lombardi Sports. Zenn Racing Team was represented by Scott Fonseca and Chris Ott.
As the race got under way, with it's first of 3 laps on a 22-mile course, there were several early attacks meant to soften up the group. About 15 miles in, Paul Dyrwal of Morgan Stanley made an escape solo and quickly opened up a 1-minute gap. Paul entertained thoughts of victory on his birthday, which was today. As the field approached the end of the first lap, the cold and rain were already taking a toll on the riders and several abandoned. Scott, just back from illness decided to call it a day to ensure his health for the upcoming Santa Cruz Criterium where he hopes to be a viable contender for victory.
As the climb started at the beginning of the second lap, the pace was pushed hard by Chris Phipps to break the field. Chris Ott, recognized the threat and stayed close to Phipps. The remainder of the second lap was controlled by the Morgan Stanley Team, blocking for their teammate Paul who now opened the gap to more than 2-minutes. Chris realized that the real battle was going to take place up the climb on the 3rd lap. As the field approached the beginning of the 3rd lap, Phipps attacked about a mile before the climb. Ott knew that a strong move would surely come on the climb from Nick Theobald who had taken 2nd at the Fort Ord Circuit Race the previous day. As soon as the climb began, Nick set an infernal pace to close the gap to Phipps. Chris Ott was the only rider able to hold on to Theobald on the climb. Ott recounted that he had to pull himself inside out to keep pace with Nick's hard effort.
The two riders, Theobald and Ott, made the juncture by the top of the climb and joined Chris Phipps who had just caught up with teammate Paul Dyrwal. Now there were four. This looked to be the decisive move of the race. With everyone near hypothermia at this point, the winner would surely come from this select group. As the four riders went down the descent and approached the flat portion of the course, they were joined by three more riders which included another Morgan Stanley rider, Lucas Paz from Davis, and a rider from Folsom Bike. Now there were seven and as the race was coming to its conclusion, disorganization was setting into the group. Phipps, getting antsy, launched a powerful attack. Shortly after Theobald accelerated to go after him. Ott was unable to respond. Theobald was able to catch Phipps and secure a well earned victory with Phipps in second place. As the line approached, Ott put in a hard effort on the climb and was able
to dispatch the two Morgan Stanley riders. However, as the road leveled off in the last 100 meters into the headwind, Ott had misjudged and was nipped at the line by Lucas Paz and the rider from Folsom Bike. Although in contention for a podium position, Ott had to settle for 5th place on this epic day in the rain. Afterward, Chris felt mixed feelings about the result, but satisfied with his effort. Chris is showing signs of recovery from illness and good race form starting to come on for the key part of this 2010 season.
Great job to all of the riders who endured the Spring Hill Road Race, it will be a day long remembered as an epic race in the rain and cold.
