Golden Spring Criterium

-story and photos by Fran Summerhill

     On Sunday April 22nd, the first criterium in the ACA (American Cycling Association) Danielson Junior Cycling Series brought out a record number of junior racers who enjoyed the ideal racing conditions on Earth Day in Golden, Colorado. 92 riders from ages 8 to 18 lined up to contest the 8 categories in this popular series sponsored by the Discovery Channel pro rider from just down the road in Durango.

       The biggest field to toe the line was the 8-12 year olds, with 32 kids racing for places in 4 categories organized by age and gender. Some kids were racing for the first time while others were seasoned veterans, already riding in their third or even fourth season, thanks to the ACA grassroots junior program. The course was a 1km loop and a relatively easy one for beginners with a long, gradual climb through the start/finish area that gave the large number of spectators plenty of opportunity to cheer on the kids and watch the action. Despite their young age, many of the kids demonstrated the racing tactics they have learned at ACA camps and clinics to conserve energy and create an advantage as the 20 minute long race unfolded. Michael Dessau (Swift Cycling) was the eventual winner in the JM 10-12’s and Emily Stockton (Team Einstein’s Cycling) rode a strong race to win the JW10-12. The JM 8-10’s winner was Dretzka (unattached) and in the girls’ 8-10 race, it was Ashley Zoerner taking the honors.

         The 13-14 year olds raced next and gave the spectators another good show with power house Yannick Eckmann (unattached) sprinting to first place while the girls’ race was won by Ashlay Correias of Christiancycling.com.

         Without question the most exciting moment of the all junior races came at the very end in the 15-18 category. Three junior men, teammates Andrew Barker and Robin Eckmann (5280) and  Front Ranger’s Matt Miyamoto led the field the entire race and Barker and Eckmann entered the long home straight working strategically to set up for a sprint. However, with the crowd cheering on, in a wily move the lone Front Ranger took Eckmann by just a few feet to earn his second victory in the JM17-18 competition, while Barker and Eckmann still secured the one-two spots in the JM15-16 points competition. National Junior Champion Danielle Haulman (Hot Tubes) won the JW 17-18 race and Bryn Morales (Riptide) took the win for the JW 15-16, rounding out the results for what was certainly a fun and rewarding afternoon of junior racing.