Garrett Lemier

Ojai, CA. Beautiful downtown Ojai was the setting for the fifth stop of the NCR schedule as riders took to the streets for the Garrett Lemire Memorial Race. The second year event is to honor Garrett Lemire who was killed on March 15, 2003 while racing in the Tucson Bike Classic. He was just 22 years old at the time of his death and his parents are actively involved with the planning and staging of the race. Racing this year has been very aggressive as teams seem to be evenly matched and today was once again fast from the gun. Small breaks tried to get away on the first few laps but it was an attack by hometown girl Mari Holden that created the biggest excitement. Along with Holden a group formed containing Tina Pic of Quark, Kim Anderson of Colivita, Lyne Gaggioli of Monex, a rider from Vella Bella, and Holden's teammate Kori Kelly. T-moblie was determined to use their numbers in the break and continued to attack the group. Being outnumbered, Tina Pic had to cover successive attacks until her teammate Laura VanGilder was able to bridge-up. In tow was another T-Mobile rider, Lara Kroepsch, and Stacy Peeters of Helen's Cycling. With better numbers it was Quark's turn to attack, which keep the action at the front hot and put the other riders in the break on the defensive. As the laps ticked by and the finish approached Stacy Peeters attacked the group and was able to get a good gap. Quark's Tina Pic went to the front and flew up the 200 meter climb on the back side of the course with Laura Van Glider glued to her wheel. Tina was able to pull clear of the bunch and deliver Laura 150 meters from the line. VanGilder crossed 1st with ease and Pic was able to gut it out and hold on to second with T-Mobile's Lara Kroepsch rounding out the podium.