Going into the final race weekend of the season, the Rundle Mountain Cycling Club is poised to take its second overall Alberta Bicycle Association title.
The club’s performance at the Jason Lapierre Memorial race Saturday (Aug. 10) put them ahead of Edmonton-based Juventus club, which hosts the final race of the year this weekend (Aug. 17-18).
“Our inspiration was to be the top club in Alberta again. It’s on a lot of people’s minds. We have a lot of powerhouse riders coming out of the woodwork and picking up racing. Next year will be even better,” said Aaron Sands, longtime RMCC member. “It should be between us and Juventus, and they’re the host club. We should be ahead going in.”
Fraser Mills-Connery and Colin Croston both shot up to Cat 1/2 this year and finished sixth and seventh in the top crit of the weekend on Saturday (Aug. 10) in Calgary, as Croston missed fifth place by a toe. The two could have finished even higher, although they got caught up in a crash in the final lap. Croston was also second in the road race on Sunday.
“That was the most fun racing I’ve had all year,” Croston said. “It was a pretty strong field where everyone was a contender.”
The 15 kilometre circuit had a four km gravel section, which increased the likelihood of crashes significantly. Croston said racers reached speeds of 60km/h across the gravel road, and the final came down to a sprint finish.
“The gravel is on quite a pivotal section, so you have to be in a good position,” he said.
After the club lost its top riders in Sean Crooks, Gord Jewett and Robin Clegg last year, Croston has shouldered much of the top riding for the club. Croston was once one of the top telemark skiers in the world, representing Canada internationally, but switched over to cycling after breaking his leg in training. This is his first serious year racing for RMCC, and he quickly rose through the ranks from Cat 5 to Cat 1/2 in one season.
“My goal at the start was Cat 5 and get to Cat 1 in one season. I achieved that in a fantastic time and continued to race at the highest level, achieved top 10s and podiums,” Croston said.
As an encore, the 40-year-old would like to win the provincial individual title. He could be the oldest to do so if he achieves the feat.
RMCC had great representation in each category. Sands finished fourth in the Cat 3 Crit, while youngster Mitch Fennell was very close in 11th place in Cat 4, closely followed by teammate Mark Cosslett.
In the time trial, Eric Jensen finished fifth in the Cat 1/2 division.
“It’s nice to see we’re strong in not just one category, but all of them. I think we’re up to 12 guys who have upgraded to Cat 1/2,” Sands said. “The club has held its own with the big name departures. We’re rebuilding.”
Croston said landscape plays a big part in the club’s strength.
“Our strength is the level in which we ride. The landscape gives significant advantage over other clubs. We have physically able riders from different backgrounds,” Croston said, noting the club has a lot of retired skiers and biathletes.
