Platinum Performance had a strong presence in the first Criterium of the year promoted by Echelon Santa Barbara and appropriately titled “Mothballs”.
The Platinum boys rode well with representation in every move that jumped off the front. At 6 laps to go they took complete control of the race with Steve Smith and John Orach going pull for pull on the front, stringing out the pack to keep the race safe and discouraging any surges or attacks.
With half a lap to go Chester Gillmore jumped with the fury of a thousand flaming spears hurtling through the still starry Serengeti night sky. Although this wasn’t the Serengeti and it wasn’t night: It was 11 o’clock in Goleta.
Rounding the final corner Chester held a 20-foot gap with LaGrange 200 lb beast of a crit monger “Bubba” desperately closing the gap for their Sprinter Statton Easter. Chester was caught and swarmed inside 25M but mustered the strength to hang on for 9th.
Ron Takeda sprinted for 4th. Another excellent display of team work by Platinum Performance Cycling Team’s Cat 3 squad. They showed up with a plan, executed it with razor-like precision and showed once again why they are quickly being dubbed the world’s strongest, most handsome Cat 3 team to ever to roll the tarmac.
Here is what an anonymous local spectator had to say: “Those platinum boys looked so good out there I almost forgot that I was watching an amatuer bicycle race. It was like watching the world championships of cycling and the world’s most handsome man competition at the same time. Truly a spectacular, life changing event to witness.”
(Photos by John R. Goodman/Goodman Graphic)
RESULTS:
Brian Cook 11th Pro 1/2/3
Gary Douville 14th Pro 1/2/3
Seth Zaleski 15th Pro 1/2/3
Chester Gillmore pack Pro1/2/3
Chris Walker pack Pro 1/2/3
Brandon Droese pack Pro 1/2/3
Steve Smith pack Pro 1/2/3
Ron Takeda 4th Cat 3
Chester Gillmore 9th Cat 3
Brandon Droese 21st Cat 3
Roger Moore 27th Cat 3
Steve Smith pack Cat 3
John Orach pack Cat 3
Derek Johnson 4th Cat 4
Tom Anhalt 21st Cat 4
Steve Weixel 32nd Cat 4
Aaron Transki 13th Cat 5
Derek Johnson 5th Master 30+
Steve Weixel 16th Master 30+
Tom Anhalt 21st Master 30+
mark Luke 35th master 30+
Brian Cook pack Master 35+
John Orach pack Master 35+
Roger Moore pack Master 35+
Derek Johnson pack Master 35+
Mark Fennell 19th Master 45+
Tom Anhalt 22nd Master 45+
Mark Luke 32nd Master 45+
Chris Walker 39th Master 45+
Peter Boberg 12th Master 55+
