Toguri Training

Congrats to Toguri Training riders who managed to scrap their way onto the podium at the GP Vaudreuil Soulanges–St Lazare on August 8, 2010. Oh, wait…there was no podium but medals will do just fine!

Michelle Paiement (3rd, Women’s Cat 1)

Michelle Paiement (Stevens) upping the tempo to create the gap which started the winning break with Veronique Fortin (Rocky Mtn) and Lex Albrecht (Cascades). ©2010 Robert Wilson

"First, I make them notice my pink nail polish...and then I kick their a&&!" ©2010 Robert Wilson

L-R: Veronique Fortin (Rocky Mtn); Lex Albrecht (Cascades); Michelle Paiement (Stevens) ©2010 Nick Van Haeften

Judith Hayes (3rd, Maitre F)

L-R: Judith Hayes (3rd, Ind); Gaetane Perreault (1st, Max Power); Carol Deavy (2nd, Les Rouleurs de l'Outaouais) ©2010 Nick Van Haeften

William Blackburn (5th, Men’s Cat1)

"It's cold. It's wet. Belgian, Bel-gian, Belles jambes!" ©2010 Robert Wilson

Congrats also to Max Joly Smith for coming 10th in the Cat 1 race.

"I feel good!" ©2010 Robert Wilson

"I don't feel good... not for the reason you think. I mean, yes the pace was high but I'm really just pissed at being caught drafting off Goodfellow (Bike Reg) on film...again!!" ©2010 Robert Wilson

And finally, congrats to JF Houpert for stretching the Maitre A peloton like peanut butter on toast:

"Hey, this attack is creating a solid gap! I'm smiling...on the inside." ©2010 Robert Wilson

"It's just work. It's just work. It's just work." ©2010 Antoine Becotte

Now about that finish JF….?!

“Master A Tough” in St-Raymond

When you drive to a race in the rain, you can feel the added nervousness in the car. As you approach the race site and turn the radio down, people speak in shorter sentences. They laugh a bit too hard at any jokes, as their eyes scout any visible portions of the course. Then there’s a standard set of complaints, or negative comments, as they step out of the car and into puddles: “This is going to suck!” etc.

Getting caught in the rain is usually ok, but starting in the pouring rain… The worst case is getting soaked at the start line of a crit while listening to instructions as you notice all the traces of gasoline and oil glimmering on the first corner. I’ve done a few crits like that. You just try to stay on the front while listening to the crashes behind you.

Some guys, however, LOVE the rain. They love it when it’s cold and wet, and they love getting all Paris Roubaix.

The gritty, soft-spoken Sean Kelly making everyone's legs scream at Paris Roubaix

Here’s Toguri Training’s Rod Matheson (Synergy) and JF Houpert (Synergy) soaking up the fun at St Raymond:

Rod: "Sigh, my booties are holding 2lbs of water." JF: "Doh! I forgot my booties, but it's ok. My feet are numb." ©2010 Antoine Bécotte

Ok, they’re not as gritty as Sean Kelly, and they’re not riding over cobbles, but they are racing in the rain with droopy arm warmers. That’s “Master A Tough”!

Eventually, the storm cleared and slick François Doyon (Quilicot-Rackultra) won a comfortable sprint from Dominic Chalifoux (Trek-Curaprox) and several others who had creeped 30 sec up the road from the field.

"Your kung fu is good... " ©2010 Antoine Bécotte

"but not good enough!" ©2010 Antoine Bécotte

Matheson performed a stylish, soaking seated sprint for 16th place, though he could no longer remember where he parked the car.

Matheson, second from the right. ©2010 Antoine Bécotte

Luckily Houpert rolled in a few riders back and had a photo of the vehicle in his back pocket. Towel off; change to dry clothes; hop in the car; radio on; drive home.

Congratulations to all Toguri Training racers for surviving the spills and thrills of Ste Martine! And yes, we had both spills and thrills. In other words, the season has begun! There were, however, a few special rides that should be mentioned…

Congratulations to Fred Fenneteau for winning the first bike race she ever did! On a hot sunny day, Fred rode at the front of the women’s peloton for most of the race and crossed the line first in the Maitre E category. She raced well and she finished well. Not bad for a rider who loves her duck confit and wine!! Now about that yellow helmet…

"Fudge!" ©2010 Antoine Bécotte

"If they gave me champagne, I wouldn't share a drop!" ©2010 Antoine Bécotte

Robert Ralph jammed across the line in 6th place (Cat 3), but I have to admit I was more happy that he was constantly in the right spot to get shelter from the wind and to jump into the action.

Robert making Rio Tinto/Martin Swiss proud. ©2010 Rod Matheson

And finally, William Blackburn popped into the break in the Cat 1 race and was away for about 100km. He hung in there until the final set of attacks into the brutal headwind, but still managed to finish ninth.

William leading the break. "I feel like a Belgian champion!" ©2010 Antoine Bécotte

William coasting home with busted legs for 9th. "I admit it. I feel like a soggy Belgian waffle" ©2010 Rod Matheson