December 2011
Please Welcome our newest member, Jason Schoenemann. Jason has been doing triathlons and will continue with that under the Colavita name and may take a stab at road racing. He is 25 and very passionate about the sport and healthy lifestyles which, coincidentally, mimick our mission. A natural fit!
We will have a team group recovery ride coming. We will assemble and ride from South Shore Cyclery, in Cudahy (Packard Ave). I anticipate starting in April or May, Monday nights at 5-ish?! Time and route to be finalized in the next few weeks. Happy Holidays to everyone and stay fit!
November 2011 - Some big changes
The first big announcement is that Matt Yeaky has resigned his position as team manager. He served the team for it's entire 3 year infancy and we all thank him for his time and dedication. He will remain with the team as a valued Masters racer and assist the new manager, Brian Janssen, with the transition.
The second big announcement is that we will be welcoming some new sponsors to the team! More to come on that once everything gets sorted out. The indoor trainer season has started here so check back often for updates.
I want to welcome a new member to the team. Josh Weiss has joined us to build on our entry level, Cat 4/5, race category. He is in his first year of racing and doing well with some high placed finishes in Superweek as well as WCA Cyclocross, where he is currently 12th in the overall. With only a few races remaining he could move into the top five easily with one or two solid finishes. Maybe he'll peak for the State Championship on November 20th!
July 2010 - Colavita Wisconsin Regional Team Manager competes in the 2010 Maratona dles Dolomites
Here is Matt Yeakey's Race Report:
Once I got on the flight to Europe I was feeling more relaxed and looking forward to the trip. We landed in Venice and now I could really relax. However, we shortly discovered that about half of our plane was missing its luggage. I had my bike but no luggage and my cycling shoes and pedals were in the luggage. The next move was to complete the missing luggage form which took over two hours. The good news was that the luggage would arrive on the next flight. Fortunately the people who were there to pick me up knew how to handle the situation. They took me back to the hotel in Corvara and my luggage arrived at around 9pm that night.
I was able to sleep fairly well and got up in time for a group ride the next morning, the Sella Ronda. This route involves 4 climbs in about 55km. The first two climbs and descents were really different for me, but by the time I got to the Passo Gardena, the last one I was passing cars and cyclists on the descent. I even road past a Honda Repsol which was really cool because I have never seen one of those other than on tv.
Matt with a typical Wisconsin like "hill" in the background...right Matt?
The day before the Maratona most people that I knew did not ride, but I did about 1 1/2 hours around the Passo Campoglongo and enjoyed the rest of the day walking round Corvara. Some people took a ride on the ski lift or did some shopping outside of Corvara. While on my walk I managed to get some shots of Cipo riding right in front of my hotel. He literally stopped traffic and was looking very fit.
Many people spent the evening getting a massage or swimming at the spa. I watched some MotoGP and F2. Sports is nonstop here, both watching and participating so I really tried to soak it all in.
The day of the Maratona I was up at 4:30am as we had to be on the road by 5:30am for the 4k ride to La Villa. It was really cold and dark but we got to our pen and met the other 9 thousand cyclists. The start was full of media and about 4 helicopters covering the race. The spectators were wearing winter jackets, hats and gloves, really cold. The military was there almost on every entrance/exit and told us were to go based on our number.
The race got off on time with lots of cheering. It was fairly smooth and I never had to put my foot down so the start was better than I expected. We did the first 4 climbs that compose the Sella Ronda and then back into Corvara. I felt good, and took it easy on the wet descent of the Pordoi. I counted four ambulances and 1 helicopter on the descent. There were quite a few crashes and some of them looked severe. If you miss a turn you either hit rocks or literally fall off the mountain. I passed the Fausto Coppi memorial and did the next climb. I did not stop at the rest stops and felt really good completing the Sella Ronda. The second time up the Passo Campoglongo I could hear lot of riders family and friends yelling 'forca, forca'. One lady was really screaming, 'Franco, pedali forca, forca della faccio l'amore!'. Which I think means pedal with more force, like the force you use when you make love. It was really funny and I am sure Franco had a good Maratona.
Anyway a little later up the pass things really slowed down and I tried to get around on the right, but once I got closer I could see a rider with the last name of Lelli. I looked over and it was Massimiliano Lelli and Mario Cipollini. Max looked like he was having a good time, but Cipo was not talking to anyone. I road behind and really enjoyed the moment and managed to get off some pics. I slowly pulled away and looked back and thought I will never see him again.
Cipo and Lelli just before Matt put the hammer down and left them in his dust...
I got to the next rest stop and quickly realized you have to elbow your way in to get some drink and food. The rest stops are probably the most competative part of the ride.
I got out of there and started the descent into Arraba. Next was a 2k climb and rest stop before the Passo Giau which has 29 turns I think.
Around turn 12 I saw Cipo again. How he got in front of me without passing me I am not sure. He had his helmet and jersey off and was really going slow on the mountain. I rode behind him for 2-3 turns but I really needed to get going. Around turn 15 there was a mountain spring with some cold water. This was about a 20 minute stop but well worth it. On my way up the Giau there were numerous riders that had stopped and were looking exhausted. I finally made it to the top without stopping and took over 30 minutes to relax and enjoy the view.
After the descent we started the final climb the Falzarego. Towards the top the fans from Holland were really loud and had some alpine music that you can hear on the video on this climb.
After the Falzarego, I descended into La Villa and then the finish in Coravara and got 10 euro for finishing and turning in my number and GPS with no infractions. I was really tired but the ride was really exciting and very well organized. The staff at the hotel were outstanding and very professional and polite. I almost missed my plane in Venice due to a protest at the airport but we all got on at the last minute. I was so tired I slept most of the way. Overall, a beautiful experience, very well organized, delicious food and 7 intense mountains.
Here are Matt's official results: http://services.datasport.com/2010/velo/maradolo/ALFAY.HTM