2011 DU Criterium

The annual DU Criterium was held at Denver City Park on Sunday where both collegiate and USCF racers towed the line to work on early season fitness, and gain valuable race experience. This event is also an annual fundraiser for the DU Cycling Club.  Collegiate level riders from all over the state turned out for the race, some even trying their luck out in the USCF races later in the afternoon.

Chris Lundberg put on the race and had this to say, “The race went well. The weather was great, there were no major accidents, and we had a good turn out. The race serves as one of our club's largest fundraising events. The money we made from race fees will help fund travel, coach’s salaries, and uniforms. The race also gives DU cyclists a chance to try racing at the collegiate level. Club members who volunteered at Sunday's race were allowed to race for free. We had 13 DU cyclists race on Sunday, five of whom were racing in their first race!”

The course was a .77 mile triangular loop with a few large roundabouts and a sharp left hander coming out of one of the roundabouts. Almost totally flat, the course made it difficult for solo breaks, but quite a few small breaks did get away in many of the races. As anyone who has ever been to Denver City Park can attest to, Geese can be quite a hassle. More than a couple of times throughout the day, a gaggle or two of those critters had to be chased off the course in front of a charging pack.

In the Women’s Collegiate A race, visiting racer Danielle Haulman (University of California-Davis), and Fort Lewis College racer Lauren Catlin didn’t wait around for the rest of the field as the two broke away within the first two laps. The rest of the field could not organize and work together to bring the two back. Haulman eventually took the sprint for the win. 

In the Men’s Collegiate A race it took a bit longer for anyone to get away. A few attempts were made early on, but the pack was able to control them. Eventually a few riders were able to build a small gap, but racing stayed tight until the end.  Zack Allison (CSU) ended up with the win, followed by Patric Rostel  (Mesa State College), and Caley Fretz (CSU). 

After the collegiate racing was done, the USCF classes took to the course for a full afternoon of more great racing.  Unfortunately I can’t find the results for these races anywhere. When I do I will update the post here. For now please enjoy a few images from the day.