Chattanooga Stage Race

This past weekend was the Chattanooga Stage Race and as one of the "local" teams, we were excited to race at home. I am STILL trying to kick the end of this stupid "desert funk illness" that I got out west so I begrudgingly decided that I would do team support all weekend. I promise you I was the loudest cheering section out there.

The weekend consisted of a time trial and a criterium on Saturday and a road race on Sunday. They ran two different women's categories, a 1/2/3 race and a 3/4 race. Gina, Star, Lisa and Catherine are all trying to get upgrade points so they raced the 3/4 race and Paula, Shannon and Gina (without me...) raced the 1/2/3 race. We were hoping for some great results in both categories. We did not disappoint!!!

Gina won the time trial, took second in the crit, and took third in the road race. Star, Lisa and Catherine all worked hard to help her and finished strong in their own right. Way to go girls. We were the team to beat in the 3/4 race.

The ladies in the 1/2/3 race had their work cut out for them. There were a number of pros in the field and it was going to be tough to see the podium. Without time trail gear, we were content to try and minimize our losses for the first stage. The crit was another story. Jamie came out swinging and after a number of attacks, got off the front and eventually took second against a national caliber sprinter. We love you Jamie but there was NO WAY you could have won that sprint!!! She ROCKED. Great finish... that attack was a gamble and it paid off. The road race was even tougher... 68 miles of rolling hills and 3 times up the longish climb. Jamie again made the selection and eventually took 5th in a tough field. Shannon and Paula were great workers and helped get her there. Teamwork was crucial and we rose to the occasion.

It was a great weekend of racing. I handed out bottles and was ALMOST sad that I wasn't out there. The wind contributed to the "almost" part of the equation, it was brutal. You ladies worked REALLY hard. I was proud to be your water girl!!!

Thanks for reading....