2024 Redlands Gila and Bloom
April and May have been a whirlwind for the TaG Cycling race team.
Opening with Redlands Classic. One of the biggest North American Races on the circuit. 190 Pro Men and 160 Pro Women started the 5 Day race.
Day 1 is a demanding circuit race in which our team leader Nathan Pruner was well positioned in the front group along with team mates Manu Moore, Sasha Renaud Tremblay and Reid Kinniburgh. At the start of the final 2 laps, the pace was at its peak with the big teams lined up at the front for an 80 rider sprint of the remaining front group. A dropped chain had Nathan off his bike at the finish line as the group swarmed away. A reset of his chain and he was off in pursuit at a blistering pace. He somehow managed to re-connect just before the ultimate sprint up the 800 meter wall to the finish. It had cost him his last matches though, and all he could manage was group finish on a stage that was very suited to him.
The women’s team rode really well, with no drama, and 19 year old Jenaya Francis took 8th place, her first of what would be a race of top 10 finishes. Young Sidney had a first real taste of a full Pro women’s field and she looked comfortable and finished well up in the front group.
Day 2 was the first running of the Onyx Summit climb from Redlands city right up the Big Bear Mtn climb to 8000 feet. The climb decimated the field for both men and women. But TaG had a rider remaining in the final selection of both races. Jenaya rode a brilliant race and almost looked like she could take the win but just got passed by 5 of her elite group at the very top and finished a gritty 6th place. Nathan Pruner, also in the final selection of world class riders finished in 10th Place.
Day 3 & 4 were the time trial and crit. Jenaya continued her top 10 rides. The men rode well at the front of the races and finished well in front as top Canadian squad
The final stage is crushing. Sunset Circuit. Jenaya rode at the front all stage and as told by women’s director, Jordan Cheyne. She attacked the heck outa the last stage and just took TaG alumni Mara Rolden with her and they had a 2 up duke it out. Just staying ahead of the pack 20 secs behind. Jenaya would finish 2nd on the stage and 6th overall in the stage race.
Not to be outdone. A great performance by the men also. The main players were Nathan, Manu and Reid all in the final selection. Reid made an attempt much like Jenaya’s. He stayed off solo for 15 km and then was caught in the final circuit to finish 12th. Nathan finished 10th and Manu 26th. Again, they were the highest placed Canadian team by far finishing 9th of 29 teams.
Straight onto training camp and Tour of the Gila in New Mexico. The team unfortunately had a bad bought of sickness but showed solid grit and determination in the finishes. They still finished 2nd Canadian team and had some good rides, but recovering and racing is tough.
Tour de Bloom in Wenatchee WA was the team’s next destination. Back in good form, Manu Moore took the coveted young riders jersey on Day 1 and never gave it up in the 5 stages. Manu is just 2nd year out of junior and has definitely found his confidence and his legs. Campbell Parrish was missing in the early races due to Team Pursuit qualification rounds in Milton. Campbell showed up for Bloom and took the Time Trial victory. The team had a great showing with a stage win, a 3rd place in the last stage by Sasha Renaud Tremblay and an overall leader’s jersey.
Meanwhile, TaG riders Sidney Swierenga and Larissa Pedersen had been selected to race Nations Cup races in Europe. After finding her legs and figuring out the European style of racing, small roads and elbows out. Sidney took 5th place overall in Tour du Gévaudan Occitanie femmes and the young rider jersey for the event. Sidney has now automatically qualified for the World Championships this Sept in Zurich SUI.!
This past weekend were the BC Provincial Championships in Langley BC.
A miserable weekend for racing in downpour conditions, but the team came out with 5 podiums and 2 Championship victories.
Campbell Parrish u23 TT Champion (with the fastest elite time as well)
Sidney Swierenga u19 TT Champion
Nathan Pruner u23 2nd place Road Race
Maddi Pollock u23 2nd place TT and 3rd place road race.
Next up for the men will be Tour de Beauce in Quebec, where they race 6 days in one of North Americas only UCI events for the men.
Following that will be National Championships. Also in Quebec.
TaG will have a full roster with 7 u23 riders for the men. 3 u23 riders for the women and 1 junior woman
Directors Gord Fraser will be there for the men and Jordan Cheyne for the women.