August 14, 2014 (Elma, Washington) – Local Ride Racing’s junior road team headed south August 2-3 to compete at the North West Junior Classic Stage Race in Elma, Washington. And once the final stage was complete, this Maple Ridge, BC-based team put three riders on the top step of the podium for the overall GC and showing it is one of BC’s top high performance junior programs.

In its third year, the North West Junior Classic Stage Race has grown to over 150 Junior riders, and has plans to grow to an even higher level. Based in Elma Washington, the criterium and the road race start/finish are held at the Satsop Business Park, home to an abandoned Nuclear Power. Yet under the shadows of the massive concrete cooling towers, the area provides an ideal location for a stage race.

In the Junior A boy’s category, it was Jackson Pickell of Coquitlam, BC, who battled a challenging field of 23 racers to take victory. Taking his 5-second lead after the 20km time trial into the evening criterium, Pickell made it into the 4-man break, took three valuable time bonus primes, and then placed second in the sprint finish. In the final road race, Pickell worked the peloton to bring back an early break, and hung on to take 4^th in the sprint – but most importantly – he took home the overall GC win.

Clara MacKenzie from Victoria, BC, and the newest addition to Local Ride Racing, proved that she is one of BC’s top Junior riders by winning the Junior A girl’s GC win. With her 19-second lead after the 20km TT, MacKenzie held her GC destiny in her own hands. In the criterium she unleashed an early attack that was reeled in by the group, but she was still able to control the peloton and take the up-hill sprint for her second stage victory. At Sunday’s road stage, under a scorching sun, MacKenzie kept the pressure on her opponents, and in the bunch sprint she was the first Junior A girl across the line, sealing her GC victory.

“I am very pleased to have both Jackson and Clara take the overall win at this race. With this being their last year as Juniors, it’s great to have them finish on a such a high-note,” commented road team manager and director Barry Lyster.

After her GC win at this race in 2013, Maggie Coles-Lyster knew she would have to utilize all of her weapons to fend off the attacks from her Junior B rivals if she was going to repeat as champion. Following a great TT, and being only 12 seconds behind race leader Hannah Green (BYRDS), Coles-Lyster pulled out all the stops and attacked the group at the evening’s criterium and went on to a solo victory to take a 1:24 lead into the road race.

“I felt really good going into the Criterium, and with the technical nature of the course I thought I would try to take back the time I was down and possibly lap the field,” commented an excited Coles-Lyster. “I could see the peloton about 30 seconds ahead, but ran out of time to catch them. Still, pretty pleased with the outcome.”

With her 1:24 lead, Coles-Lyster had control of her GC, and was able to work with teammate MacKenzie in the road race to manage the attempted attacks from the riders threatening her lead. With the group whitled down to seven riders on the tough, 20km course, Coles-Lyster was able to take the sprint finish and win her second NW Jr. Classic Stage Race victory.

Local Ride Racing’s youngest rider, 11 year old Kaelen Coles-Lyster gained enormous experience racing against a strong group of Junior D girls, on some very challenging courses under extreme heat conditions. Watch for her to challenge for the podium in the years to come.

Local Ride Racing would like to thank its sponsors Cycles Lambert, Kicking Horse Coffee, Golden Ears Physio, Power2 Max and Giant Bicycles Canada for all their support through 2014. Next year in 2015, Local Ride Racing will be showcasing an Elite Women’s Development Team on the national and international racing scene.  For more information and sponsorship opportunities pls contact Barry Lyster at localrideracing@shaw.ca.