First top step of the Podium for NACSWORLD.COM

The St Lawrence Market criterium was held in Downtown Toronto this Sunday morning on the 1km circuit under the forboding threat of rain. Luckily the main event of the day, which was the Elite and Masters level 1 90 minute race managed to escape being yet another 2011 wet and soggy bike race. After a brisk 'neutralized' lap the ensuing pace over the first half an hour as Team jet fuel and Team Garneau tried to establish the 'breakaway' group was what many would later describe as 'frenetic'. After a group of 6 elite riders managed to pull clear of the pack, the pace behind became a little more settled and the two NACSWORLD. COM riders in the race were able to bide their time and try to keep a more watchful eye on any other riders trying to escape the pelotons 'clutches'.  The two riders, Kevin and Steve kept towards the front of the pack in order to keep out oƒ trouble and avoid crashes.  Around three quarters of the way through the race the 6 escapees lapped the main field and, as is normal  the pack was given the 'bell' signal (one more lap to go) 3 laps before the lapping riders would receive their bell signal.
Towards the last laps Kevin had been keeping very near to the front in order to be well positioned for the final sprint, as there were no Masters riders ahead, which meant that the prize for first Masters rider (the race within a race) was still up for grabs. Coming out of the final corner at Market street and Front street, and with just 300 meters before the finish line Kevin was in 3rd place with Steve not far behind. Kevin resisted a last minute challenge by old rival Greg Cavanagh to get to the line first, and get our teams first top step of the podium.

Early season 2011 round up

NACSWorld.COM team enjoyed a very active early season. First off the mark were Brian and Steve in the   on-road/off-road 'Tour of Bronte'. Racing against elite riders this time in the open category Brian and Steve were in the thick of the action from the start, with Steve eventually finishing in the leading 'breakaway' group for a fine 4th place. Next up almost the whole team travelled to Calabogie Motor sports Park, almost at Ottawa for the first round of the season long 'Ontario Cup'. This time it was Brian who was our main animator finishing in 7th place after a very soggy 100 kilometres.
The traditional season opener 'Good Friday road race' wasn't the first race this year, but, as always was very well attended. After a fast race it all came together for a big 'bunch' sprint where Kevin managed a 3rd place.
Next was Springbank road race in London, Ontario. Where, again it was all together until right near the end, when Bruce Bird from our friends at Wheels of Bloor escaped from the front of the group along with Paolo Eugeni from Team Z. Paolo took the win with Nacsworld's Kevin behind in 4th.
'Bike the Bruce' was our next race and it was NACSWorld team that shook the race apart in the final kilometres with Brian and Ilija taking turns at the front keeping the pace very high. The team managed a 6th place which was not as much as we'd hoped for but with lessons learned and confidence gained, we hoped to do better next time.
That opportunity came the next week during the Nith River road race at Wellesley Ontario, with Kevin gaining a second place behind the man to beat this year, Bruce Bird of Wheels of Bloor.

NACSWORLD.COM team all together for the first time!

Sunday May 22 2011 was the first time the team were gathered and in uniform at the 'Nith' river road race in Wellesley, Ontario. Left to right Brian Kelly, Pav Stanojevic, Kevin Davis, Ilija Petrovski, Derek de Gannes, Jason May, Steve McKee.