Congrats to Brian Estocapio for his 2nd place finish at the State Championship Road Race in Longbranch. The team had a rough day: after numerous attacks and counterattacks only a lone rider from TiCycles managed to break free from the peleton. With the race coming down to a pack sprint, Garage had numbers up front to push the pace. Brian hit the afterburners with 50 meters to the line to take the field sprint for silver. Dan Hazzard finished 4th with Alex Rosenast and Gibb Clarke taking 15th and 16th, respectively.

The FSA Tour de Dung in Sequim is this Saturday the 29th, brought to you by Garage Racing and Carter Subaru. This is part of the Washington Cup race series for Cat 1-2 Men, Cat 1-2 Women, and the Masters A fields. Be sure not to be late for the ferry. Race flyer available here.

Garage Racing is speeding through March at a blistering pace. This month's road races and time trials have shown the team's strengths and talents haven't taken a backseat during the winter.

The Mason Lake series spurred road racing into the season. Chris Teufel spent most of Mason Lake #1 in a breakaway where he eventually crossed the line in 2nd place in the Cat 1/2 field. In the Cat 3 field Tom Wick nearly pulled a similar feat, only to get reeled in by the peleton at the finish line. The following week at Mason Lake #2 and again in a break, Tom made well by sticking it to the field and earning a well deserved a 3rd place finish.

Early season time trials showed solid performances: Aaron Berntson came away with second place and Alex Rosenast in 4th place at the Frostbite Time Trial. The following week's Ice Breaker Time Trial featured a double dose of Flavio Rattazzi. Racing first in the Cat 1/2 field Flavio finished 2nd, down a mere 1.7 seconds from the leader over the 10 mile course. A consistent second ride of the day gave the TT machine 2nd in the Masters A/B category.

Apparently nobody told Flavio that Market Street was a road race and not another time trial. Flavio rode away from a large Cat 1/2 pack, finishing in 5th place. Mike Murdin came away with the pack sprint for 9th. Combined with his 6th place at Tour de Dung #1, Mike moves into 2nd place in the Washington Cup standings.

The team is looking forward to top finishes at this weekend's Independence Valley Road Race in Centralia, riding roads visited during training camp.

Thanks to all who attended and raced the first of the two 2008 Tour de Dung races. Results are available here.

The second race will be held on Saturday, March 29th. This is not a series race so even if you didn't make the first one you've no excuse not to make the second. Even better, you will not have to wakeup an hour early for race #2!

The Sequim race series from years past will have two races this year; the first on March 9th and second on March 29th. Cash and merchandise prizes with some good stuff from FSA. The March 9th race is also the day to spring clocks ahead an hour, so don't be late for the ferry. Both Sequim events are part of the Washington Cup Race series. Race flyer available here.

Garage Racing spent the mid-February weekend in Centralia for their annual team training camp. The team enjoyed excellent weather and some great rural roads. For lots of us it was a chance to shift into the big chainring for the first time this year, while others appear to have never downshifted after last season.

Highlights included a mock-race on the Independence Valley road course with a hilltop finish and a hammer fest along the state time trial course. Sprints for the city limit were followed up with a hearty dinner and drinks. Weekend totals included 150 miles covered, 58 energy bars, 47 water bottles, 8 hours in the saddle, and 2 flat tires. An accurate count of the number of sore legs has yet to be determined.

A little racing action to stoke the fires of winter training