This was the final event of the Waterford Hills Spring Training Series. Large fields were the order of the day. The team would have it's work cut out for them as many were motivated to make an impact in this final event at the Waterford Hills Raceway. Let's see how the team faired......................

The key moment occurred when a prime lap was designated. As the field let up slightly, the attacks began. This caused a small group of eight to escape up the road. As a result of not making the break, the team was forced to chase and rally the peloton to chase down the break. It just simply was not to be, the break was organized and the field was not. With it clear that the team would be trying for the best of the rest. In a positive light it was mission accomplished as Blair Dudley won the field sprint and Bruce Rivera was just a couple bikes behind.

"A" Race:
        Blair Dudley - 9th place
        Bruce Rivera -12th place        
        Paul Rivera - field
        Paul Winocur - field

In the "C" race, Dr. Lisa Meils rode a strong race and captured 12th place in a large, competitive field of male racers. Good job Dr. Lisa.

"C" Race:
        Lisa Meils -12th place 

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April 9th - Ann Arbor, MI
Race number two of the Quick Release Spring Training Series.  The team was feeling a little hollow after Saturday's placings and was eager to roll to the line and get the hammerfest started. On to the action......................

Early in the race a two man break was attempted with team member Scott McLarty looking to make the escape. The field brought the two racers back after efforts from other teams to cross the gap excited the field and the pace elevated. It was around the middle of the event when the serious, sustained attacks began to occur. This strung the field out nose to tail and eventually caused the field to split. The good news was that the team had placed series contenders, Bruce Rivera and Blair Dudley in the front group. After the field split the threesome of Scott McLarty, Jeff Gray and David Mullins rode on the front to control the pace and foil any attempts of the second group organizing a chase. Two laps from the end a solo rider rolled off the front. The field let him dangle in the wind, but miscalculated their catch. Dudley and Rivera sprinted over the field to grasp the last two steps of the podium. Another great team effort.

"A" Race:
        Blair Dudley - 2nd place
        Bruce Rivera - 3rd place
        David Mullins - field  
        Scott McLarty - field
        Jeff Gray - field

High winds were the talk of the day at race number two of the Waterford Hills Spring Training Series. With the very open nature of the course, there was little shelter for the racers. Would this be a determining factor in the race? Let's see how this one played out...............

The team was forced to chase from the beginning as five threatening competitors went up the road in quick fashion. As the field was strung out in chase mode, the wind was in fact a harsh variable that would continue to splinter field into smaller groups. Bruce Rivera fortunately made the jump to place himself in what would be the second selection on the road. Try as he might, Bruce just could not get this group to organize and muster the horsepower to bring the leaders back. It was apparent that Rivera would have to sprint with this group. After powering the group and tapping deep into his energy bank, Rivera manage to capture 6th place on the day. Good job to all team members.

"A" Race:
        Bruce Rivera - 6th place        
        Scott McLarty - 17th place
        Paul Rivera - field
        Paul Winocur - field   

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April 2nd - Ann Arbor, MI
A large field gathered under a sunny sky and 53 degree temperature for the 22nd running of the Quick Release Spring Training Series. Hosted at Runway Plaza, this would be the first of a four race criterium training series. Racers would face another day of stiff wind as they rode the slight grade to finish line. On to the racing action.........

Almost from the starting whistle there were attacks trying to establish a selection. Team Essex Brass was represented in each break of the day, but as the field gave way to small breaks during the early laps, it was also motivated to gather them up as the pace increased and all riders up the road were eventually swallowed up. The last two or three laps were frantic with teams trying to position their sprinter for the best lead out possible. Coming into the last corner Blair Dudley found himself a couple wheels back, while team members Paul Winocur and Bruce Rivera were nearly in his wake. With a mighty kick toward the line Dudley came just short of his first win of the season. It was a very nice team effort overall. The team seems to be hitting on all cylinders at this point in the early season.

"A" Race:
        Blair Dudley - 2nd place
        Paul Winocur - 4th place
        Bruce Rivera - 5th place
        David Mullins - 18th place     
        Scott McLarty - field
        Jeff Gray - field

What a way to kick off the 2006 racing season, 34 degrees F, a Wintery mix of rain and snow, a stiff wind offering a wind chill of 29 degrees F and puddles pooling on the circuit. The team gathered at Waterford Hills Raceway for the first event of the Spring Training Series. Despite the weather conditions, the turn out was high. Undoubtedly each racer was keen to test his/her fitness and validate those long Winter stationary trainer sessions. On to the action..............

The "A" race began with the Essex Brass Cycling Team coming to the front of the field and leading the peloton in a neutral lap in memory of our dear friend and team mate Joe Matthews who passed away on March 5th.

The next lap quickly saw an attack and Jason Stephenson latched on for some time off the front. As the race progressed a solo rider inherited the lead when his companion in the break suffered a flat tire. The field was not taking any chances and the pace slowed. The final lap was executed nicely by the team as everyone moved to the front, strung out the field and Bruce Rivera led out new team member, Cat 1, Blair Dudley for the first podium finish of the season! Very nice.

"A" Race:
        Blair Dudley - 3rd place
        Bruce Rivera - 6th place
        Scott McLarty - 15th place
        Jason Stephenson - 18th place

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This race was equally as treacherous as the racers faced miserable racing conditions. Lisa Meils was already feeling a little under the weather prior to the start, but hung on to finish in a field made up of men. Good perseverance Lisa!

"C" Race:
        Lisa Meils - 12th place