The trio of Bruce Snell, Adam Simonelli and Richard Allen lined up for the Data#3 Cisco Capilano team contest of the Masters A Metropolitan Criterium Championship held at Murarrie. With all three guys running into some good form and with some recent podiums, there was a real belief that victory was possible.
The 30 minute race started as expected with Team Mainline (with a healthy contingent of 9 riders) quickly moving to the front of the race. It wasn’t long before they began sending riders down the road in an attempt to launch an early break. These attempts were shut down as quickly as started. Bruce Snell worked overtime for what must have been 20 minutes or so by either dragging the bunch across or working with others to do so. Meanwhile Adam Simonelli and Richard Allen sat protected in the bunch, however, still staying close enough to the action in case something got away.
After a short lull in the race, the pace was back on in anticipation for the 2 laps to go sign. As soon as the two laps sign was held up, the bunch immediately became one long line of peddling ants. With a lap to go Team Mainline and QSM took control of the front setting things up for their sprinters. At around 800m to go Adam Simonelli, who was sitting around 20th wheel, made his push towards the front with Richard Allen glued to his wheel. Adam, still with Richard in tow, blew past the leading train on the 2nd last straight and hit the front with around 300m to go - setting up Richard for the approach to the final corner. On exiting the corner, Adam gave his all and propelled Richard in pursuit of the finish line. Richard sensing his competitors gaining some ground, cranked it up to full gas and the held off the pursuing riders for the 150m dash to the line, winning by a bike length.
Richard was ecstatic with the win and thanked his teammates, Bruce and Adam Simonelli. A great example of team effort!
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