Only one word can describe the criterium finale Saturday night at the Tour de Nez…WOW! Anyone who missed the event would be wise to put next year’s race on your calendar right away. This race ROCKS! When Alejandro Albor crossed the line (for the win) on his last lap, the 15,000+ crowd was so loud that the announcers could no longer be heard.
The entire Tour de Nez weekend was a huge success in every sense of the word and the USHF could not be more excited to work with race organizers Tim Healion, Marnee Benson, Bob Guerrerro and everyone involved with the Tour de Nez….they rolled out the red carpet for the handcyclists and everyone had a great time. Newcomer and local racer, John Kirsch, was also a big part of the event offering support from his company Sportif and showcasing his new nonprofit group, the Freewheelin’ Foundation (which helps people with disabilities purchase handcycles) and he even showed some pretty good speed in his first-ever handcycle race weekend.
The tight, technical course at Saturday night’s USHF Criterium Championship favored riders who could climb as well as corner. From the gun, Albor put the hammer down, but could not shake Oscar Sanchez — our rider to watch this season. Sanchez was cornering slightly better and would gain afew seconds each lap as he bombed the downhill. In the final 4 laps however, Albor floated away up the hill on the backside and won in front of the huge crowd — who brought all the racers down the finish stretch with ear-splitting cheers.
All the usual players were there, and things went down fairly typically: Matt Updike was 3rd overall and won the HCB title — but with Monica Bascio in his rear view mirror most of the race (Bascio won the women’s race), and Patrick Cottini was the fastest HCA racer, showing a bit better form as the clouds rolled-in for the handcycle race. Cheri Blauwet — looking like a natural in her new handcycle racing role — was a crowd favorite as she chased Todd Richardson and John Kirsch for most of the race, and Harold Warner of Tuscon, AZ gained a few extra mph from the roar of the crowd along with a handful of local racers who basqued in the glow of hometown cheers. On-hand as a spectator this year due to an injury, local legend Candace Cable of Truckee gave splits and helped educate the crowd about the handcycle race, and did double duty as a tour guide for the USHF contingent.
Of course, who could miss the clunker race and the kids race on the schweeeeeeeet course at the ‘Nez, elements that make the ‘Nez so unique. Following the race, Cheri Blauwet, put it best, saying: “This event is so much fun and so awesome for us to race at, but it’s also a great education for the local community…I loved it!” Meanwhile, Matt Updike was even a contender for the “hottest racer” pink jersey contest at the post-race party (he didn’t win, but was a finalist!) at the “Deux gros Nez” Coffee Shop/Bar/Restaurant, which is owned by Tim Healion. It is the epicenter of everything that is happening with the cycling scene in Reno and the Sierras…what a cool place!
The Tour de Nez is what bike racing — and bike culture — is all about….and as announcer Dave Towle mentioned [referring to the handcycle championship]…this is bike racing at it’s best!
Full results can be found at: www.tourdenez.com
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