Toronto UCI Races

Another great weekend of UCI racing for Team Planet Bike. James, Kaitie, Kristin, Linda, and Tristan headed up to Canada to participate in the C1 and C2 events in Toronto, Ontario. The races were well organized and unique courses greeted the riders each day. Sunny and cool weather kept conditions relatively clean and fast both days.

Saturday's course was situated on a ski hill and included a lot of elevation change each lap. In the womens race Natasha Elliot and Pepper Harlton shot off the front on the first lap with all three Planet Bike riders sitting in the top 10. Linda and Kristin both moved into the top 5 on the second lap as Elliot took the lead. photo thanks to Dave McElwaine photo thanks to Peter Kraiker

They both passed Harlton with just over a lap to go and went on to finish 2nd and 3rd, respectively. After battling some stomach issues Kaitie had a strong last lap and was able to pass 4 riders and finish an incredible 4th place. photo thanks to Peter Kraiker

photo thanks to Peter Kraiker

Womens Race Reports - Cyclingnews, Velonews, Cyclocross Magazine

Linda's postrace interview from Cyclingdirt

In the Mens event Tristan had a strong race and finished on the podium in 5th place. photo thanks to Dave McElwaine

A last row starting spot had James fighting through the field and he moved up to get both cash and UCI points by finishing 13th.

Men - Cyclingnews, Velonews, Cyclocross Magazine

Sunday's course was on the opposite side of the park and included more technical twists, turns, and ditches in addition to several short steep climbs. 17 year old Kaitie was the talk of the race riding into 2nd place with 2 laps to go. Looking incredibly strong and fluid on the course she was making up time on Elliot who went on to win by only 15 seconds. photo thanks to Dave McElwaine

Linda finished 4th with Kristin in 6th. Another strong showing for the Planet Bike women who were able to gather lots of UCI points this weekend.

Womens reports - Cyclingnews, Velonews, Cyclocross Magazine

Kaitie's postrace interview from Cyclingdirt

The Planet Bike men again had strong races as they moved up within the field and settled into the same finishing positions as Saturday. Tristan on the podium in 5th and James was 13th.

photo thanks to Peter Kraiker


Men - Cyclingnews, Velonews, Cyclocross Magazine

Thanks to everyone associated with putting on these great races! Also thanks to the great photographers at the event Jon Safka, Peter Kraiker, and Dave McElwaine. We had a blast meeting some really nice folks in Toronto and they have a cool cross scene there. Big thanks to Dave from Minneapolis who served as our mechanic and helped us out throughout the weekend. As always thanks to all of our great sponsors for helping make things happen so we can travel and race at events like these! Thanks to Planet Bike, Edge, Lazer, Ridley, TRP!