New Kit! The Dorschel Cycling Team presented by Reed Eye Associates met for a group ride to introduce our new uniforms for 2012. It was a perfect spring afternoon for photos and a hammerfest in the Mendon area. Thanks to J Smith photography for the pictures and Geoff and Kelly for the great dinner following the ride.

First race of the season!

Five brave souls came together at 6:30am this morning for our first race of the season: a virtual battle thanks to the setup at Crossfit Gordon in Fairport. They had just loaded the spring Giro course and Brent, Jochen, Nick, Steve, and myself went to battle. It was our first experience on the computrainer setup. We started peacefully, trying to get the hang of following the race. There was a constant feed of data, the most important of which was our place and the distance behind the next closest rider (to indicate whether or not we were close enough to benefit from a draft). Nick fired the first shot and the pleasantries ended. It was a constant back and forth, the drafting keeping the group tightly knit. The hills were tougher than expected, the resistance changing to match the course profile. The first time through the hills broke up the group a little until, after about 12 miles it was a 3 man battle. At 15.5 miles my tire went flat (on a trainer!) and it was down to a battle between Nick and Jochen. We decided to end the race at 20 miles to stay within our allotted time. They battled back and forth with the east side hill providing a launch pad for a final attack. Nick got a small gap but Jochen charged back, catching him right at the finish line. It was a photo finish, too close to call. Can't wait for them to upgrade and provide some firepower to Team Dorschel in the 4's. A big thanks to Crossfit Gordon: they have an excellent setup, check the out at www.crossfitgordon.com.

New Sponsor - The Mendon Cyclesmith

We are pleased to announce The Mendon Cyclesmith as our bike shop sponsor. Owner Craig Smith has a great shop which specializes in repair, wheel building, and custom bike builds, as well as some of the best lines of road and mountain bikes available. His personalized service and the shop's comfortable atmosphere makes it a natural spot for riders to congregate. Stop in to see his great collection of classic bikes and especially the latest fat bikes from Surly.

Sponsor News

The Dorschel Automotive Group continues its sponsorship of the team for 2012. Click on the Dorschel logo to learn how clear. simple. different. can improve your car-buying experience.

Reed Eye Associates joins our team as the presenting sponsor for 2012. Since 1978, Reed Eye Associates' goal has remained very simple: to provide patients with the best possible eye care with the most current technology available. Please visit www.Reedeye.com to learn more.

Cobbs Hill Cyclocross - October 9, 2011

The weather for today's race was beautiful, with conditions more like June than October. Jochen started his first cross race ever, and with a new bike had a great time navigating the tough course at Cobb's Hill. Brent raced the Masters event and was able to make the podium with a 2nd place in the 55+ age group. All-in-all a great day of racing for Team Dorschel.

Jochen

Jochen, navigating the maze

Brent, crushing the downhill

Masters 55 Podium

8/23- Chili

one week after the crash and the blog...the cat fours took to the course in chili. the night started with an attack by jeff g, twin line, and myself. we made it to the small hill on the back side before being swallowed up. in an attempt to make the racing aggressive, primes we set for laps one and seven. things got hot on the first prime but everything was brought back together. almost every lapon the turn to the road that had been stone chipped, brent would carry past the peloton in an attempt to get away, but he couldnt get any help here. the race pretty much was status quo until lap seven when a good size group was able to walk away from the field on the long stretch thru the woods. brent was up the road in the break so i was only going to attempt to bridge if i could do it alone. we the field hit the hill the pace was mellow, so halfway up i had worked my way up the side and made my move using everything i had left to catch the break. by the time i got to the top the break was splitting up, brent and macfive frank were dangling off the back and a group of five or six was still up the road. from somewhere i got the strength to swallow up brent and frank and get us back to the group just before the long straightaway. the peloton was coming on strong but i knew we would not get caught. with three cnb in the break we made the last turn and it ended up with hoag, mike c, myself, kevin, and dave m ready for the final climb. about halfway up mike c broke for the line and i went after him, he proved to strong for me but may have left to soon as kevin was able to chase him down and get him at the line. even though p hoag did most of the final work, he almost got me at the line as i was barely able to hang on for third. it was a race with some attacks and strategic timing...well done cat fours.

8/9 - Wheatland

The rain clouds cleared just in time for the racing to begin. It was a small peloton that seemed ripe for a breakaway. However, nothing stuck - it seemed that everyone was too busy marking each other so no one was able to get away. The group was strung out for the finish sprint and I placed myself in 7th or 8th wheel - just where I wanted to be. But the lead riders never faded as is typical for the long sprint at Wheatland. Luckily, Chris (ROG) found a crease on the shoulder of the road and made a mad dash for the line. I grabbed his wheel and came around him just before the finish line. I wasn't able to track down the winner (Dave, CNB) but was able to get second place.
See you at Victor next week.

New York State Time Trial Championships

The conditions were windy and hot on the 40 km championship course hosted by the Tioga Velo Club. Fortunately, I was able to secure the bronze for the Dorschel.com/Swain Sports 2 team. It was great to see so many GVCC riders putting in solid rides and representing the club.

I'd like to thank TVC and Jeff Poulin for putting on an exceptionally good race. This is the way these events should be run!

Brent

6/27 - Wheatland

Sunny skies and warm temperatures led to the decision to make it a long night - 45 miles of racing (5 laps). Half way through the first lap and Rick (SBR) and Deats (Dick Ide) had already launched off the front. Knowing their strength, I made an attempt to bridge up to them on the gradual uphill section. However, they proved too strong and I sat up after a few miles. As I was being caught, Brent counterattacked and took a few riders with him. The mix of riders looked promising, but the cooperation never fully materialized and they were brought back. A few miles later and Scott took off on a solo attack. He looked strong out on his own for half a lap, but the windy conditions and determined peloton spelled doom. Coming up to the prime on lap 2, Brent was aggressive at the front of the group and helped to stretch things out. Michel offered to lead out the sprint for me and hopped on Pete Hoag's (RUUD) wheel - a wise choice. Pete pulled a few of us off the front and ended up taking the points. I couldn't come around Michel and he held on for second. The prime split up the group and I soon noticed Burri (CNB) and Coyle (Nalgene) flying past me. I hopped on their wheel and Pete joined us. The four of us worked well together, and it was apparent that Pete and Burri are stong TT'ers. The gap was tenuous for the next couple of laps but we continued to work a paceline. We rotated through on the lap 4 prime without a sprint - we were all determined to make the break stick. We could see the peloton closing at the end of lap 5 and so we held off on the cat and mouse games until after the final hills. Knowing the break had some strong sprinters I tried to surprise them with an early attack. It didn't work and I was unable to catch back on. Pete took a well deserved win, Coyle was second, and Burri rounded off the podium. The group came in soon after with Michel showing some good form by taking the group sprint. All in all, a fantastic night of racing for Team Dorschel. See you on Parish Hill next week!

Full Moon Vista Grand Prix

The Dorschel.com Cycling Team hit the streets of Rochester this weekend at multiple races throughout Monroe County. Friday night saw Michel and Scott finish 9th and 12th respectively, on the technical crit course at Genesee Valley Park. Brent was able to hang with some of the top masters in the northeast through most of the 35 lap race and finished 3rd in his age group.

Geoff tackled the hills around Powder Mills Park on Saturday. The wet roads, combined with some twisty, high speed descents put some riders on the ground, but Geoff was able to keep it upright and make it to the line with the lead pack. Still feeling the effects of his Tuesday night win, he finished 9th in the sprint on a tight, narrow finale.

Sunday saw Scott racing early at the Durand Eastman circuit course. A large field of 48 category 4/5 riders started, but potholes, dirt sections, tight turns, crashes and an uphill finish left only 22 riders crossing the finish line. Too many riders and not enough road made the uphill sprint a challenge, but Scott was able to finish 11th. A smaller field of masters riders took to the course for the 28 mile race. Brian Cardona (Nalgene) made the early break while his team controlled the pace. Brent was pulled from the field with 3 to go, but managed another 3rd in his age group.

This was a great race weekend to support the Rochester race scene and get maximum exposure for our sponsors. Thanks to Full Moon Vista and GVCC for a great event.