Fusion Sport sent a solid team of riders to the hotly contested Burlingame Crit on Sunday but it was Dana Williams who had his “A” game on as he contended in both Masters 1-2-3 and Pro 1-2 races. The masters race saw Williams riding effortlessly near the front the entire race before unleashing his blazing speed in what looked to spectators like a convincing win as the last rider in front of him was seemingly going backwards. However, the finish line camera would show he had simply run out of real estate. In the Pro 1-2 it was looking good for an encore performance until a hard luck crash took him out with 3 laps to go.
Bad luck also struck earlier in the Cat 3′s as up and coming star of Fusion, Mike Mulvihill, future MD, suffered a broken clavicle in a nasty final lap crash. We wish him well in a full and speedy recovery.
Former Fusion rider Keven Bricknell (Mike’s Bikes) took 4th in the Cat 3′s topping his former teammates but showed some class and love as a Fusion sponsor by hanging out and sharing his spoils at the Fusion team tent!
Members of Fusion Sport participated in the Echelon Napa Gran Fondo on May 21st, a ride benefiting three local charities -St. Helena Hospital Martin-O’Neil Cancer Center, Queen of the Valley Cancer Center and Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition. In their efforts, the team raised nearly $5,000 – top among clubs and racing teams. The beautiful well supported ride through the wine country featured a KOM/rest stop, great food and drink, live music, expo, and prizes. Ride Captain Dana Williams took on Echelon Founder Hunter Ziesing’s challenge to beat his time in Ink Grade Hill Climb coming up 9 seconds short, nevertheless posting the 4th fastest time and earning him a free fondo entry! All in all, a great day of fun in the Napa sun. Also representing Fusion Sport in the fondo were top fundraiser/ride captain Heidi Witherall, Chris Crichton, Amber Herrera, Greg Rodriguez, Scott Witthoff, and Steve Woo. Special mention to Jennie Montano for her efforts but was not able to participate in the ride. Thanks to Plumpjack Wines on Fillmore for their continued support and Jared for hosting our post-ride party at their winery. Photo credit: Sam Hoffman – LightSource
It was a successful day at the Ronde van Brisbeen for Fusion taking two wins and a second.
Racing his first crit since his days as a junior, Mat Gordon set the tone by winning the first race of the day in the Cat 5′s. Aussie teammate Tyron Hooper carried that momentum into the E3′s with a powerful sprint victory (above photo – also see Tom Dillon’s video). Mike Mulvihill capped the day off with a hard fought 2nd after a solo artist slipped away in the 4′s to steal the top prize.
[Photo credit: Thanks to David Cheung for risking life and limb to capture the above shot! Visit his blog for more photos.]
Newcomer Greg Rodrigues put Fusion Sport on the board for 2011 with a 1st in the Masters 4/5 race on a rainy day at the Central Coast Circuit Race on Saturday. Sans teammates, Greg won it in a sprint timed to perfection and getting the better of two Taleo riders.
