The Southern Arizona Omnium welcomed collegiate riders to Arizona with warm temperatures in Tucson and Vail over two days of racing last weekend.
Once again, out-of-conference visiting varsity team Fort Lewis College made the trek from Durango to battle it out with Arizona schools.
But University of Arizona still managed to widen the gap by 104 points to maintain first place for conference title in both team and individual standings, with Cara O’Neill and Adam Bryfogle holding the leaders’ jerseys. ASU still holds a hefty 264-point lead over NAU, with NMSU fourth in conference standings.
On Saturday, the 20k out-and-back Flapjack Flats Time Trial north of Tucson presented riders with the first opportunity of the season to test out their legs in a Team Time Trial in preparation for Collegiate Nationals. FLC topped the Men’s A podium, with UA just seconds down.
UA also claimed the Women’s A podium, while ASU utilized their numerous Men’s B and C riders to dominate those fields.
A rainy evening of crit racing held at the Honda Musselman Circuit Race Course south of Tucson awaited riders after the morning’s time trial. With smooth track and a tricky chicane, racers were wary to venture onto the slick surface after an afternoon of sprinkling rain.
After a crash and an official check of the course, UA’s Bryfogle claimed the Men’s A podium over FLC opponents, while ASU continued their winning streak in Men’s B and C. Both Women’s A and B were taken by NAU riders Jennifer Quijada and Katherine Wood, respectively. Quijada simultaneously podiumed in the Women’s Pro/1/2/3 category.
“My parents were there so it was really cool that they got to see me play it smart in a race,” Quijada said.
The Colossal Cave Road Race in Vail on Sunday brought warm weather with minimal wind on a rolling nine-mile loop course, with a finishing sprint up Pistol Hill.
Once again, UA boasted wins in both Men’s and Women’s A with O’Neill and Wouter Zwart prevailing on Pistol Hill. NAU’s Wood continued her streak in Women’s B, and ASU cleaned up Men’s B and C.
SWCCC racers will have a breather to catch up on post-spring break homework before heading to the Adoption Exchange Classic on April 7-8 in Albuquerque, N.M.
Find out more information on results, points and how to get involved with collegiate cycling.