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(April 6, 2008)

Report filed by BMC Racing

After narrowly missing out on the main breakaway in Stage 1, Jeff Louder showed in the Stage 2 Redlands Criterium what top racing form combined with tactical acumen can accomplish.

“Jeff read the race perfectly,” Gavin Chilcott reported. “With three riders off the front, he chose the exactly right moment to bridge up to them.”

Focusing on the stage wins

With no BMC racers in the top 10 at the start of Stage 2, Chilcott realized the teams success would most probably come in stage victories. “Criterium racing can be much less predictable, but we were racing for the win,” Chilcott explained. “Today we were racing for today, and tomorrow we will race for tomorrow; we’re always riding for the win.” For people used to watching point to point, European style racing, criteriums can seem a completely different animal. The riders are racing full gas for 90 minutes, making the racing very exciting, though the tactics can be surprisingly subtle. “As it turns out, the race unfolded pretty close to our preconceived plan,” Chilcott revealed. “We played a very conservative game in the first 45 minutes of the race, knowing that most early moves would not have the necessary staying power.” Chilcott knew he could rely on his experienced racers to keep their fingers on the pulse of the pack. “A seasoned racer can sense when the time is to react,” Chilcott said. “You can feel when the fatigue is just setting in, and know that the response will be delayed to attacks.” Jeff Louder is one of the more experienced and successful racers on the BMC squad, and he placed himself exactly where he needed to be when that fatigued moment overcame the pack. “We had a plan to race conservatively for the first 45 min,” Jeff recounted, “and right on schedule, at the half way point, I could tell that Rock Racing really wanted to let something go, so I made my move to bridge up to the three riders off the front.” “Jeff knew that that was the exact moment he had to make his move; he was in position and read the race perfectly,” Chilcott explained.

All out effort once he was in the break

“Once Jeff was in the break, he became a major contributor to the effort,” Chilcott said. “He knows that if the break gets caught, then there is no story, no chance for victory.” “When I caught the other break members, the four of us knuckled down and went to work,” Jeff said. “We all took even turns, and raced pretty honestly with everyone doing his share of the work to stay away.” Though the break held around a 45 second lead for many laps, near the end of the stage, it was touch and go as to whether they would be caught. “With 10 laps to go, I was a bit nervous,” Chilcott revealed. “The chasing teams started working together more and were consistently pulling back three or four seconds per lap.” Happily for BMC, the four breakaway companions worked together until the last possible moment. “With two laps to go I was pretty confident that the break would stick, since we mathematically had enough time to hold off the charging peloton,” Chilcott said.

The team is the star

“I felt very good today, and was definitely in it to win it,” Jeff explained. “I was pretty upset about yesterday’s missed opportunity; we have a strong, young, talented team and I wanted to prove to them as much as to myself that we can take control and win races.” For BMC today’s somewhat unexpected victory confirms that good things can happen when solid plans are laid. “Of all the Redlands stages, I would have thought that the criterium would have been the one I was least likely to win,” Jeff confessed. “But I knew after yesterday that I had good legs and I wanted to make use of them.” The strength the team has shown in its ability to read races has proved them to be competitive on any terrain. “Gavin is definitely passionate about being thoughtful in his direction instead of running a lot off emotion,” Jeff said. “We all appreciate working with him, and realize that he has confidence in the team; he certainly helped me out a lot today.” “I don’t play cheerleader over the race radio,” Chilcott explained. “I believe I am there as an information resource and guide the riders when necessary, help them to learn something about their racing.”

“Tomorrow will be a better race for our characteristics”

According to both Chilcott and Louder, the team will be gunning for the win on Stage 3. “We will definitely go for the win tomorrow,” Chilcott said. “Confidence is high, and we know we can do it; we can’t let an opportunity like this pass us by.” Jeff Louder echoed this drive. “When you leave your family for long periods, it is good to make the most of your time,” Jeff said. “Tomorrow could be our day too. If not me then maybe Nydam, or Tony Cruz could be there – Tony was climbing like a maniac in stage 1!”

For additional information regarding the Team, please visit www.bmcracingteam.com