The Essex Brass Cycling Team faced stiff race competition as well as, less than ideal racing conditions at Waterford Hills Raceway on Saturday. Cloudy, damp and overcast skies with temperatures hovering at 38 degrees F. The real story of the day was the 35mph winds! Here is how it played out for the team in these hurricane like conditions.......

Lap one saw a small group attack from the starting gun leaving the field to quickly organize and begin a chase. It was not long before the winds began to impact the race. Any small gap became a big gap and riders were fighting to control their bikes in the extraordinary crosswinds they were facing. By lap six, a break was beginning to stick with eight riders up the road. Team leader Bruce Rivera read the move early on and was establishing himself in the move. New team member Jason Stevenson was caught in "no man's land" (between the break and the chasing field). Jason chased for a lap before making the connection to the break. Essex Brass now had two men in the break. As the race wore on, attacks were getting more serious. On the last lap Bruce Rivera shot off the front of the break effectively fragmenting the break away group. As Bruce and one other racer came to the last corner it was a dash into the wind. Congratulations to Bruce Rivera on a 2nd place finish and Jason Stevenson for grabbing 10 place.

 

Time to kick off another exciting season of racing with the Essex Brass
Cycling Team. First a huge THANK YOU to all our returning sponsors. Thanks
to your generous support in 2004, we achieved one of our most successful
seasons in our 15 year history. We again have big ambitions as we begin the
2005 season. We not only will continue with a big presence in the peloton,
but also in several charitable community events in the Metro Detroit area.

A beautiful, clear and sunny day with temperatures nudging the 50
degree mark. The team was eager to race and was looking very keen in the
latest team kit by Voler Team Apparel. The latest Rudy Project glasses made
the race face complete. Waterford Hills Raceway is located in northern
Oakland County and features an 8 corner, 1.4 mile closed circuit with two
small rises and a tricky last corner.

As the chief official stepped off the track, the peloton sped away. The
first three laps saw high speeds and several attacks. Near the conclusion
of lap three, a break was beginning to take shape. During lap four Bruce
Rivera made a mammoth effort and bridged the gap to the seven riders up the
road. The selection was made and now it was up to the supporting team
members to ride in support of their man. An excellent job of controlling
the field was done by new comer Jason Stevenson, Tom Kachelmeyer and long
time team member Bill Gilboe. As the race drew to a close, Bruce Rivera was
able to withstand the attacks and capture 6th position in this elite
group. Other team members finished in the field, with Paul Rivera and Jeff
Gray going off road, narrowly escaping a last corner pile up.
Congratulations to Bruce Rivera on a strong start to the 2005 season.

Next up: Waterford Hills Raceway - Spring Fling Circuit Race #2 - April 2nd
Runway Plaza - Spring Training Series Criterium #1 - April
3rd