2010 Longmont Criterium

The 2010 Longmont Criterium celebrated its 24^th birthday this year. The “L” shaped course took racers through six turns around Old Town Longmont, and although totally flat, the course had enough turns to keep riders busy with cornering skills and accelerations that it kept things interesting. This race also doubled as the ACA Senior Criterium Championships, so the competition was heated.

Plenty of folks were out to watch the racing and residents of Old Town set up in their front yards with BBQ’s and picnic tables to watch the days events. The day started off without a cloud in the sky, but by mid afternoon, thunder could be heard off in the distance.

By the time the Men’s Pro 1,2 class was on the course for their 90-minute race, a few drops began to fall. Eventually the skies opened up and the scattered thundershowers began. Although rain fell off and on throughout the race, it only took a few minutes for the pavement to dry between downpours.  Although a few breakaways were attempted, none stuck, as the course proved to be too difficult for anyone daring to try and escape the steamrolling pack. 

With a couple of laps to go before the finish, Sean Sullivan of Hotel San Jose/Juwi Solar and Jorge Espinoza of PreRace.com got away and had close to a minute on the pack.  Coming through the start/finish they had a good gap as the pack was just rounding the right-hander at the end of the straight. They both looked determined to make it stick, but ended up getting swallowed up by the pack on the backside of the course.  David Wenger (unattached) took the bunch sprint, with Jason Donald of Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling taking second and Michael Gibson of RMCEF-Westside grabbing the last spot on the podium.

In the Women’s 1,2 Category, a group of riders gained a gap fairly early in the race. The pack seemed to have trouble working together to bring them back and the lead group continued to stay away. Eventually the lead group was trimmed down to three riders. In the end, it was Megan Hottman or TREADS.com/DFT, taking her second win of the weekend after Saturday’s top podium finish at the North Boulder Park Criterium.   Second place went to Cari Higgins of Peanut Butter & Company/Twenty 12, while Kori Seehafer (unattached) took third for the day.

Once again it was a great day of racing on the Front Range of Colorado.  Thanks to Left Hand Brewery for the free beer, that’s right, free beer, and thanks to the promoters for putting on a great race, including another great kids race! 

Story and Photos by Shawn Lortie

Megan Hottman takes a flyer in the Women's 1,2 race.	The Ladies breeze by a festive BBQ on the streets of Old Town Longmont.	The Women's 1,2 racing was fast and furious.
There was a great sprint finish for the Men's 4's. John Neff nipped Josh Whitney right at the line for the win.	The Men's Pro 1,2 class gets things rolling.	The Pro 1,2 field hits the right hander before the start/finish line.
The rain didn't slow down the racing or scare off the spectators.	Old town, new bikes.	The clouds finally let loose on the Men's Pro 1,2 race.
There were a few crashes, and this Gent spent some time having the gravel removed from his elbow.	Speed blur down the back stretch.	Sean Sullivan and Jorge Espinoza take a run at it in the Men's Pro 1,2 race.