The Ford-Basis team capped off its best month of racing since the team's inception three years ago. Led by Chrissy Ruiter, the Ford-Basis women brought home three wins in the last two weeks.
Chrissy rode to victory in the Mt Hood prologue at Hood River, Oregon, marking the first win for one of the team's developmental riders. She rode to victory on her 2005 edition Javelin Arcole TT bike, with Zero brand disk wheel, Rudy Project TT helmets and K-Mart streamers.
Two days later, she sprinted to victory over her two breakaway mates in the criterium, capturing her second win. Chrissy finished up the stage race in second overall, behind Leah Goldstein. "I haven't won a race since beating my sister to, and subsequently through, a set of mailboxes in third grade. My victory salute this time was a bit more cautious."
Across the country, Nicole sprinted for first in the Raleigh Twilight Criterium with the help of teammates Alisha and Lauren, who kept the field together. "I usually go to bed by 8:30 pm. I just went as fast as I could so I could get home to sleep...all the cool kids in high school used to go to bed at 8:30 too."
When not racing, the Ford-Basis women were actively promoting their sponsors to their target market: elementary school kids. Inspired students share their thoughts (actual excerpts from student's letters)
Voler: (Clothing sponsor) "The interesting part was when she showed us the poket (sic) on her shirt. I learned how to go to the bathroom."
Javelin: (Bicycle sponsor) "She was very nice. She has a nice bicycle."
Honey Stinger: (Nutrition sponsor) "I ate one of those honey things right before lunch. Then at lunch I was scholing (sic) all the boys in basketball, of course."
Potential sponsor - online dating service? "I am glad she came because she is pretty. I wish she were here all the time."
Ford: (Title Sponsor) "Her sponsor is awesome. It was Ford. Ford is the best truck ever. That is why Ford is the best truck and sponsor. I like Ford a lot because it can pull good and it can run like a deer. Back to the girl. I thought she was cool." Future EVP of marketing.
On cycling in general: "She told us how Lance Arm Strong wins."
"I am going to write about what that biker chick taught us. She taught us about drifting. Drifting is where you stay behind a guy to stay more arrow dynamic."
Special thanks to the Tenace family for hosting seven Ford-Basis teammates during the Nature Valley Grand Prix. The Tenace's have since moved to a multimillion dollar estate in Key West after an unexpected garage sale windfall selling items left by the riders.
Recent NRC results:
1st, Mt Hood Stage Race, Criterium
1st, Mt Hood Stage Race, Prologue
1st, Raleigh Twilight Criterium
2nd, Mt Hood Stage Race, Overall
2nd, CapTech Classic
2nd, Nature Valley Grand Prix, Manakato Road Race
2nd, Nature Valley Grand Prix, Young Rider Competition
3rd, CSC/ Clarendon Cup
4th, Nature Valley Grand Prix, Time Trial
4th, Mt Hood Time Trial
Race Schedule:
6/16-6/19: Columbus, OH Wendy's International
6/21-6/22: Park City, UT National Championships
6/30-7/3: Fitchburg, MA Fitchburgh Longsjo Classic
7/7-7/10: Bend, OR Cascade Cycling Classic
7/8-7/24: Milwaukee, WI International Cycling Classic
7/25-7/31: Altoona, PA The International
8/6: Raleigh, NC Bank of America Crit
Promotions:
6/1 Mt Hood Discovery Diva's Clinic - Hood River, OR
6/1 Mt Hood School Talk - Hood River, OR
6/28 Landry's Bicycle Clinic - Natick, MA
