Team AC in Sweden - Bjorn wins it all!

This report in from Katie Fox on Bjorn's successful overthrow of Sweden's junior racing scene:

What an eventful summer vacation we had this year. Björn brought his road bike along so he could race at the Swedish National Championships. It was a four-lap, 80 km race in warm weather.

Waiting among the "locals" - some US attitude...gloves by AC

Tight corners, open roads

Björn was in a eight-man break during the first lap which eventually dissolved, but Björn and another rider decided to keep pushing the pace and stayed away for another two laps.

Heading out in the break...

The peloton upped the pace on the last lap and five strong riders got away, joining Björn and Viktor. Björn used that opportunity to rest up. After attacks that didn't stick, Björn was able to sprint past the group with one kilometer to go, and drilled it all the way to the line, 3 seconds ahead of second place. A Swedish National Champion!

The thrill of victory!

During our vacation, we found out more about the Swedish Cykelgymasium, a school that combines academics and cycling for 16-20 year olds. Within the week, Björn was offered a spot at the school. They only accept six riders per year (three boys, three girls). The school is located in Skara, Sweden, and has 1200 students. There are 26 bikers at the school this year, and they all live in apartments by themselves. We found Björn a furnished room about 1 km from school and left him in Sweden.

I had a great time visiting Björn last week. I spent 5 days in Sweden, delivering two bicycles, winter clothes and motherly advice. I watched Björn at two races, Sista Chansen in Ramnäs and Anundsloppet near Västerås. Björn was on fire that weekend and won both races.

The first race was a 15-lap crit, with a sprint finish between Björn and Axel. The finish line video had to be watched to determine the winner (Björn's first sprint win).

The Sunday race was 10-laps on a 3.8 km course. Björn was tucked in the peloton for the first 5 laps, but then took off because he had too much energy. He was able to stay away for the rest of the race and only had one rider try to chase him down.

Traffic was allowed on the course, going the same direction as the racers and on the final lap Björn caught up to a tractor which slowed him down. He was behind a lead car which tried to clear things up for him and luckily he managed to keep far enough away from the second place chaser to take the win.

Podium at the Swedish Nationals

These were the last two road races of the season in Sweden. What a way to wrap up a great road season.

Bjorn Fox - National Champion

Björn will be coming home Dec 2 for one month. We will be heading to Portland USGP and Bend for cyclocross races.

Katie

Team AC getting ready to 'cross!

Hey AC athletes & supporters,

What is arguably our must fun (and intense) racing season is nearly upon us-- CYCLOCROSS!! Prior to our first major race on 9/27, we have our cyclocross season kick-off next Sunday (9/20):

• 1pm: AC team advanced CX skills clinic taught by Clark Natwick (Mill Valley location TBA)
• 4:30-6:30: Taco truck dinner for athletes, our families, AC shop crew & elite team (in the AC piazza).

Please email me so we can get a headcount for the clinic and the dinner, thanks much.

Details will follow next week by email and on the blog.

Good riding,

Blair

New Team Van - get ready for 'cross season!

Team Van awaiting the first race

Here is our ride for the upcoming race season - our new (used) 2004 Ford Econoline E350 van.

It's a 12- passenger body, with three-row seating for eight, and can hold 4-6 bikes inside, and another couple on the rear hitch. 8 riders, 8 bikes - we can get to most races in ONE vehicle now!

It has a 6.0 liter PowerStroke diesel, so a great combination of power and fuel economy for those long drives.

Think about how to personalize it with AC-related graphics. Ideas (and Photoshopping) welcome!

No, we are NOT racing for the KTM team!

2009 Road Nats recap

[late post due to technical difficulties] Spence & I are in Bend for the Elite and Junior Road Nats. We're missing the rest of the AC JT and hey, where are the AC Elites? Bend is an amazing town-- cyclists' heaven. Bike lanes and single track everywhere.

To the racing.. 13-14 field was stacked. Lots of big name teams (Garmin Chipotle Juniors among them). UCI commissaires checking bikes in a jig and roll-out in a precise aluminum tray-- gearing needed to be spot on.

The course was an out-back gradual climb-descent. Full power both directions-- if your gearing was at the max, no coasting. Spence's 52x14 prevented him from spinning out. And he passed rollout with about 2" to spare.

As the race progressed (~55 starters) the time to beat continued to drop-- 20min, 19, 18, 17... Spence came across at 18:12 for 12th place, which I think is an awesome result. Last year's champ started last and finished with an absolutely scorching 16:10 to win again. Spence was the highest placing Californian.

Tomorrow's crit will be very cross-like. Super technical and whoever is in the lead group to get the hole-shot will prolly win it. Spence prepped for the crit by resting and tubing the Deschutes River with some of the other 13-14 racers-- the girls from Proman Hit Squad!

Good riding.