Devens Grand Prix
Massachusetts State Championship Criterium
This year, the Devens Grand Prix was the State Championship Criterium in Massachusetts. A short, fast, 4-corner course with one technical sharp corner in the valley of a dip in the course followed immediately by an uphill drag to the start/finish line made for a tough race that rewarded bike handling and positioning. Green Line Velo was present in all the races (that weren’t Junior or Master’s races), and our Women’s Team and especially development riders were on the podium nonstop.
Women’s Team Domination
Our Women’s Team had an amazing day at Devens. Meredith Moran raced solo in the P/1/2/3 field, finishing 3rd in the State Championship running.
In the Women’s 4/Novice field, new recruit Emily Nottonson came our for her first criterium, joined by fellow Cat-4 Ella Dishong. Emily finished solo with room to spare on the field for the win, with Ella winning the bunch sprint right behind her to take 2nd place. Here’s what Emily had to say about the race:
”My first crit! The small field made for a pretty mellow pace so I was able to get comfortable with the turns. Lap 4 was the first prime - I went for it and got it and it was a good test of the legs.
Ella and I decided that on the hill with one lap to go, we were going to go for a break. We were moving quick up the hill and then I ended up pulling away solo at the crest and was able to hold a gap all the way through the last lap to the finish.”
Men’s Team Recap
Fast-advancing recruit Brennan Tickell was coming into Devens fresh off of a win at Thompson Grand Prix’s 3/4 race. Riding in both the 4/Novice and the 3/4 fields, he easily pushed himself to his Cat 3 upgrade by the end of the day. Here’s what he had to say about the race:
”GLV brought some numbers to Devens last week with myself, Michael Eaton, and Michael Weidenbruch racing the 3/4 on the lumpy course. Riders descended down the back straight to turn 3, and continued downhill into a fast technical 90° left hand turn before kicking up to the line. Unfortunately, a few laps in Michael W got caught up behind a crash in the last turn and was out of the race. From there, Michael E and I stayed close to the front, but there were no dangerous attacks, and the bunch stayed together for most of the race. With 6 or so laps to go, Isaac Nelson of CCB and I went off the front, and got separation for a few laps before a bridging group caught us and torpedoed the move with 2 to go. Everything came back together for the last lap, and I was in good position in 4th wheel. As we approached the last turn the wheel that I was following dropped a chain, and I had to tap the brakes. A handful of riders came by me, and I entered the last turn too far back. I made up some places in the uphill sprint, but ultimately finished just off the box for fourth.
An hour later I was racing alone in the 4/5, and after the efforts earlier in the day I was content to sit in the bunch and not be an animator. The race stayed together the whole time, and on the last lap I was second wheel entering the last turn. As we exited the corner and started uphill I opened up my sprint and took the front, but got caught and passed in the closing meters for second place. It was disappointing to not take the top step, but I am happy with my podium, and the day as a whole was a success!.”
AJ Moran and Alex Bobroff also competed in the 1/2/3, but unfortunately weren’t able to pull off podium results in a tough field with some tough weather at the end of the day.
