ASTELLAS ONCOLOGY CYCLING TEAM

It has been a busy first month for the team with over 6000 miles driven in the team van through 20 different states. The van did stop from time to time so the team could train. At the end of this first month was the Redlands Bicycle Classic.

Stage 1 was a 12.9 km / 7.8mile TT. The location was Big Bear Lake at an altitude of over 6000 feet. With most of the guys on normal road bikes and with no one that lived at altitude we were never going to make it into the top of the results that day. The stage was won by Chad Haga from Optum with our Coulton Hartrich around 30 seconds behind.

Stage 2. The Beaumont Loop. 200Km / 125 miles. With this distance it was always going to suit the more seasoned guys in the peloton. With Matt Green and Jake Rytlewski covering every move over the hilly course for the first 80km there was not a break that didn't have the Astellas kit in. Coulton, being our GC man, was just sitting and waiting with the help of Brandon, Andy, and Max bring him water and keeping him from feeling the wind on his shoulders. True to form the race blew to pieces over the final accent of the climb with a front group of 30 or so riders, including Coulton, managing to stay clear until the finish. Jake and Matt finished in the second group a minute back with Cortlan a further few minutes behind them. Guest rider Erik Hamilton did a great job for the team managing to get through the stage and being able to continue in the race. Luis Amaran from Jamis - Hagens Berman was the winner of the stage.

Stage 3. 90 minute criterium - Downtown Redlands. With the goal of getting Coulton through the race without incident, the guys did a great job. There were splits, crashes, and a seriously fast pace. Cortlan Brown had a great race managing to see it through in the front group after having a nightmare in his first NCC race back in Tampa where he crashed out. He learns fast, and we are all really happy he decided to sign with Astellas. Matt Green was our man in the break for the day. With 25 minutes to go he bridged up to a group of 3 up the road. They were caught 5 laps from the end by the Jamis - Hagens Begman team doing the sprint lead out for JJ Haedo who went on the win the day.

Stage 4. 151km of the infamous Sunset Loop. The race was lined out from the start and never eased until after the finish. Signs were promising at the beginning when after 2 laps Jake Rytlewski got away with a small group of 6. On the next lap he was joined by Matt Green with 20 other riders. The only problem being there were no Optum riders in it. It got brought back by them a few laps later. Cortlan Brown was hyper-active on the front of the bunch making his way into a few splits. Coulton Hartrich was just waiting and saving energy. It was all set to be a great day for our team. Coulton then took 2 punctures with Jake giving him his wheels at the foot of the climb. By this time the bunch was down to 40 guys and the pace was on. That same lap the hectic first months schedule caught up with Matt and Cortlan and their race was over too.

However, all is not lost. We have a great team. Brandon, Andy and Max provided unwavering support throughout - we thank them greatly for that. Cortlan Brown learns things about bike racing as quickly as he goes uphill. Jake and Matt now have time to recover for Joe Martin in 2 weeks time after everything they have done in the past month has finally caught up with them. Coulton looks to be on great form and now has a score to settle in 2 weeks time too.

Prior to The Joe Martin we have the next round of the NCC in Annistown, Alabama. Look for race updates from out Twitter account @astellascycling or find us on Facebook - Just search for Astellas Oncology Cycling Team. See you soon!