The Annual Joe Martin Stage Race started with an uphill time trial. The further we head into the future the more advanced this specific discipline comes, with many teams having the use of wind tunnels to test aerodynamics on their time trial specific bikes. The more aerodynamic you are, the faster you can go on a bicycle, with less effort. Its a win, win. However, making the time trial uphill, means all futuristic looking aerodynamically perfect bicycles are rendered useless and everyone opts to ride a standard road bike in search of saving as much weight as possible from their bike. Great for us at Astellas! An even playing field. Coulton Hartrich was our leading finisher taking 13^th spot. We were all set for a great race rolling into the first real road stage.

Curtains were pulled back enthusiastically the following morning to find wind, and rain. They were less enthusiastically closed right after. The boys dug deep in their bags to find appropriate clothing for the day. Over 110 miles on the bike awaited them. With Nate English from Kenda p/b 5hr Energy in the lead, the strongest team in the USA this season, they controlled the race. A 4 man break was allowed to gain a maximum of 2 minutes 30. A howling tail wind meant it would be a peloton sprint. Astellas assembled ready to make a late run to the finish line. A little too eager they hit the front just too soon. Brandon made it through the chaos to be the teams highest finisher but we were just not close enough to the front. We're itching to get the lead outs dialled. Each opportunity only presents itself once though, that's the nature of bike racing. We did have Coulton moving up to 10^th overall. Silver lining and all.

The alarm goes. Memories of yesterday's stage turned into a Deja Vu as behind the curtains lay wind, and more rain. With over 115 miles to race today over a much tougher course we knew how important staying alert and near the front of the race would be. With the top guys on the overall standings separated by seconds racing was furious. An early break was allowed to go up the road but it did contain Luis Amaran of Jamis, one of the overall contenders. We knew is was about to get a lot tougher. The final time up the big climb of the 4 lap race a group of 19 established themselves in the lead. Every team was represented besides Optum and Astellas. Optum had the current race leader in Chad Haga to protect. By the time they assembled at the front of the race to chase the break it had well over 1 minute with over 30 miles to race. Coulton, currently in 10^th, had missed this important escape and realising what was at stake Jake and Matt made the decision to use the team to help Optum. Cortlan was super strong and the collusion between us and Optum nearly worked. With the gap at 10 seconds Mancebo (current leader of NRC) and Haga (current leader of Joe Martin stage race) crossed the gap and made the front group. Everyone stopped chasing and Coulton's 10^thwas now 18^th. Jakes quick thinking was to thank for still being able to hold onto 18^th.

With one of the toughest Criterium circuits in the USA to navigate on the final day of racing the only goal we had was to at least keep the 18^th overall spot for Coulton. Despite crashes, field splits, a leg zapping 15% climb every 2 minute lap for 90 minutes, he made it. Jake had moved up to 26^th overall too so the guys were still in the prize money.

Next the team splits up with 5 of the guys headed for Ireland for the 8 day An Post Ras with the rest of the guys headed to Tour De Grove and a few of the NCC rounds. Splitting the team means double the chance of great results. Keep in touch with us both in Europe and at home in the USA. Wish us luck!