The Perfect Race

         It has been said that there is no such thing as a perfect race.  There are always things that can be done better or slight changes that could change the outcome of a race.  Well,  at the Panoche District Championships there wasn't much that we could have done to have a better race.
         The team was in complete control of the 105km race from start to finish  We all worked for Torey to win solo.  And as the race turned out thats exactly what happened.  Team Swift launched an attack going into a strong cross wind section, Torey covered it and since we put the whole field in the gutter the field was shattered and none of us were going to chase Torey.  After the turn around Alistar attacked, I followed.  Marcus was trying hard to bridge to Torey and Swift's John Piasta.  When Torey went past us after the turn around alone I knew we had won the race.  With Marcus on his way to John and just behind them Alistar and myself we clearly had the right odds if for some reason Torey was brought back.  With Torey well out front the first chase group of four including, Marcus Smith and myself, we just followed the attacks doing little work all the way to the finish.  I led the sprint into the last 500m when Alistar was the first to jump I was on his wheel when John came past me with Marcus right on his heels.
    Although a podium sweep would have been great we raced this race exactly how we had planned it.  With Torey winning Marcus in third and me in fourth it was a very good day for Team Specialized!

Thanks for reading,

       Willy Zellmer

Team Specialized

I moved out to Northern California from Colorado a month and a half ago to get in some warm California racing! I got a small studio apartment with the help of my parents in downtown Palo Alto. I was a bit nervous because I have never lived by myself before. Being out here living by myself I didn't know many people, and didn't know any rides or races. One of the best aspects about it has been the support of everyone within the Team Specialized organization. A team parent said to me at a race this past weekend "What would you do without me". And it's true without out the continued support of the riders, management and team parents I would not have known what to do. The team structure is incredible and has helped me more than words can describe.

Auburn Classic Criterium...A criterium, not to miss out on.

This last weekend my Mom and I ventured out toward Wente, then to Auburn. Auburn was the best, everything turned out just right for my teammates and I. The junior race was a team trial for Andrew, Torey, Matt and I, but definetely a good thing to get used to the course and test your abilities in the swooping turns. We started the 3s which contained Chris Laberge, Matt, and I. It was pretty fast the first 2 laps, with weak attacks. There was an attack on the backside which I followed and countered. I was off solo, soo early in the race. I asked myself, "Can I do this?". I went all out, no guts, no glory; I went as hard as possible really drilling the backside knowing I would be rewarded with a descent. Every lap I tested my abilities through the turn and gained time every lap. 12 grusome laps alone, it was now one to go. I went even harder on both climbs of the race, and completed my last downhill to coast into the finish, arms raised giving glory to God. I had no enthusiam after I did my victory salute and jumped off my bike, my energy was gone. Nothing left. I couldn't have done it without my teammates Chris and Matt. Larry always states, "Solo'ing to a win is glorious!". I felt the glory going into the finishing straight away, Larry does not lie it feels great! Larry's words of encouragement on the last lap made me laugh, even though I barely could. Great weekend for the Specialized crew, Auburn is definetely a race to return to, the course fits many of our riders. Maybe it was my early birthday present, and brand new, bright red SL3 always gets you in race mode, thank you Specialized. The bike handled very well, I couldn't ask for more. Congrats to everyone else who raced well this weekend. I owe all of it to my teammates.

Jack Maddux