July 6, 2005 – With local T.O. bragging rights up for grabs, the two top teams of ItalPasta/Belmire and JetFuel/Sympatico lined up for the show down – an 80km affair around the CNE grounds of Toronto. It would be one of the fastest races of the year due to the absence of any real corners.

The race began tentatively as everyone kept an eye on the ‘man in yellow’ as Steve Bauer decided to jump into the men’s race – it was a thrill for all to have him there. With Midweek, Pavan, La Bicicletta and St. Catharines in the mix, riders began to attack and the pace quickened. Eventually a seven-man move went clear with Jet Fuel captain and defending champ Andrew Randell present along with Buck Miller who had already picked himself off the ground in turn three.

Bucker proceeded to turn on the gas and went solo at the front of the break, almost latching onto the back of the main field. But the boys in blue would have none of it and decided to amp it up themselves and bring the entire race back together. The race began to wind down and within the closing laps the Ital boys began an impressive ten-man train that would see their two sprinters tangle and take each other out of the mix.

Time for the patented JetFuel/Sympatico train to leave the station. Mark Pozniak, Josh Hall and Joe Giuliano were screaming with one lap to go with myself and Andrew ready to close. Down the back stretch it was fast, but not fast enough as the man in yellow (Bauer) launched an impressive move on the left, leaving everyone for dead. If not for Randell’s quick response the move would have succeeded as some of the old “Bauer Power” was clearly evident. Randell brought me up the windy final straight and I launched before the final chicane, directly at Bauer. Looking down at my back wheel I could see the red and white Specialized forks of my brother’s bike as he was the lone Gears Racing representative of the day.

Wondering for a brief moment if I had it, my arms were raised and the hometown boys could celebrate another CHIN win for Johnny JetFuel. It was clearly a rewarding day for the team and always important to have this victory. And it was extra special for me to celebrate the win with my brother. Would I have been happy if he came around me? Let’s just say on July 1st JetFuel coffee is thicker than blood!