Santa Rosa NRC
Santa Rosa NRC, Tour Of California Women's Crit, Vanderkitten Racing February 20th, 2008Santa Rosa NRC – (Kurt Harvey Photography)
This was our debut as a full team, needless to say we were all on edge and a bit nervous to get out there and really show what we are capable of. After a week of training camp, where we all bonded SO well, a great showing at our first race was all that was needed to close out the time together in style. And what style we did it with!
Pre-race instructions were given by Scott Gross, our DS. The deal for the day was that Jenny and I were to patrol the front and go for primes. Everyone was given a specific job, such as Moriah and Heather who were to watch for breaks and basically be our diesel engines in the leadout for Melissa who was our sprinter for the final. We’d worked a little on our leadout train during the week but it would be different in a race than in practice obviously.
Leigh “The Machete” Valletti
Jenny Trew
Leah Guloien
Heather “Bambi” Sborz
Call up for yours truly.
Moriah MacGregor digging deep.
Melissa Sanborn 
Jane Despas
Going for primes…
…and got it!
Jennie getting hers!
Post race happiness…
…and hugs!
We left it all out there on the road, along the way picking up 2 of 5 primes and some good placings. In the end all of our girls finished despite Heather ending up ass first on the ground during the one crash that happened; she’s a toughie! We started off with a bang but don’t expect it to stop there, this was not a fluke. I’m so proud to be a part of this team, regardless of what some people out there think (I’ll expand on this at a later date) each one of these athletes deserve respect for her individual talent and commitment.
Cheers to 2008!
Liz
p.s. Our new kits are HAWT!!! Thanks Dave and Verge!
February 21st, 2008 at 8:57 pm
You gals rode a good race for your first NRC together, doing better than some of the more established teams. I know several of the girls on the team and thanks to Dave for creating an opportunity for them to race on a team, its slim pickings out there in the team department.
February 21st, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Your new kits *are* cool.
When can I buy one from the Vanderkitten site?
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:00 am
Congrats on a great race! Tsering and I saw the pics on cyclingnews and the new team kits look fabulous!
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:15 am
You indeed all deserve full respect, if possible even more. You have to do the same efforts, without having all the return the men get. Congratulations with the results. Don’t let a few people spoil the fun (I think you’re referring to the posts on “weight weenies”). Don’t let them bother you.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:33 am
TEAM KITS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE FOR $395 EACH… JUST LIKE ROCK RACING… BUT YOU GET THE BENEFIT OF A MUCH BETTER LOOKING KIT WITH LESS DRAMA.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:34 am
Hi There,
Did you race every day before the men’s race ?
Grtz
Jeroen
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Screw the nonbelievers & the catty f*cks. Jealousy makes people ugly. You all are doing great and making waves, and the whole sport will benefit from your efforts.
I see a big group signed up for Snelling…
February 23rd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
…congrats on a solid race, although i heard the course was pretty much uninspiring…i didn’t get up there, but i heard ya at least had a good crowd…
…while a race may only have one overall winner, the race is made by the aggression & tactics involved & i was told all three of my favorite north bay teams were a strong presence throughout the race…
…so props to you ‘vander-k’s’ along w/ the ‘value acts’ & the ‘pro-chicks’…i know it’s tough for women’s racing but all three teams look strong & race well…
…here’s hoping great things for all of you…you all deserve it…
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Liz,
ALL of the Vanderkittens are as cool as cola, and as hawt as a bonfire….no matter who thinks or says what…
February 24th, 2008 at 9:19 am
You and the gals did a great job out there Liz! I loved every minute of it.
For those that like to play rough games out there on the courses. Remember karma is a b*tch. Much better to fly true and play it straight.
February 24th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
miss hatch,
what kind of shifters do you use? doesn’t look like shimano -dura ace- to me..
ciao,
vlokke
February 24th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
vlokke,
we are sponsored by Driven this year. The shifters you see are prototypes that will be replaced in a couple of weeks by full carbon ones.
Also, we are currently waiting on our sponsored wheelsets by Spinergy. They have not been delivered to us yet, a bit annoying, but cannot wait to try them out!
Liz
February 24th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
never heard of it. how do they perform? i would replace the cables, white looks cheap
spinergy you say? stealth full carbon? what a generous sponsor!
vlokke,
February 24th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
jagwire usa sponsors us and the white cabling is what they gave us. as a rider on a pro team you take what you are given.
the driven stuff is quite different from campy, which i’ve been riding for most of my cycling career, so it’s taking some getting used to.
and yes, full carbon tubular wheels for racing, aluminum clincher for training.
also BIG BIG appreciation to Kenda tires. i LOVE them. previously i’ve only races on michelin pro race and was nervous to try something new but i am very impressed with the feel and grip of the Kendas.
February 25th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Dave cracks me up!