Team Colavita continue winning ways!
Team Colavita/Fine Cooking toed the line at two separate races this past weekend and walked away with solid results in both events. The east coast squad took to the line on the historical downtown streets of West Chester, PA as part of the Iron Hill Twilight Criterium this past Saturday evening. From the gun Team Colavita/Fine Cooking was ready to make their presence known with Erica Allar stringing out the peloton from the gun as she took the USA Crit's signature opening prime lap. From that moment on the team meant business gobbling up prime after prime, having representation in every breakaway attempt, and not allowing a rider to get away unmarked. It wasn't until 12 laps to go that Mary Zider's attack would be "the break". Along with Zider, other teams represented were Mellow Mushroom, Fearless Femme, and FCS Rouse. The small break away worked to create a gap in excess of one minute on the field. Ultimately the break ended up lapping the field at the beginning of the last lap which took the peloton 2 laps to go to 1 lap to go. This breakaway was instantly swallowed up by the peloton making for a very confusing finish! Zider attempted to find her way through the chaotic peloton, narrowly missing out on a podium spot with a solid fourth place finish.
On Monday afternoon the west coast squad lined up to contest the Cedar City Grand Prix which included a strong field of sprinters along with the reigning road and time trial national champion. The four-corner criterium circuit in downtown Cedar City, UT with a slight uphill finish and strong winds made for an aggressive and challenging day of racing. Team Colavita/Fine Cooking's small but strong roster of riders consisting of Lindsay Bayer, Olivia Dillon, Whitney Schultz, and guest rider Anna Grace Christensen raced aggressively throughout, focusing on leading Dillon out to earn sprint points on the three interim sprint laps. The team was represented in key breaks and worked hard to set up for a strong finish. In the end, it was a great day - Dillon placed fifth in the field sprint after a leadout from the team and captured the sprint jersey.
