Last Sunday was the first national series race. The race took place in the beautiful north coast, starting from Wanli to Baishawan back to Jinshan and then straight up Yang Ming shan 8km straight up. There was a total of 2,000 racers and with media, friends and family the total number of people in attendance was a little over 3,000.
This was Specialized Novatec’s first big race. Jerseys arrived the night before and we were finally all together as a team. All the big teams were in attendance this year, Giant A.R.T, Merida Sentra, Fuji, and many others. These teams have more experience, members, and a bigger budget than us. Most of these teams are also riding very strong, just coming off the Tour of Taiwan.
The Men’s elite peloton stayed together for most of the race. There were several breaks, but all were quickly reeled in. However, just before the turn around point, Specialized Novatec rider Yang Chia Hong made a break and was joined by 1 Giant and 1 Merida team member. The group stayed away for quite a while as Specialized Novatec riders Craig Johns and Anthony Sinyard stayed in the front slowing down the group and pulling in any attackers.
However, Fuji’s star rider Chris Lintaman finally had enough. He went to the front of the peloton and hammered away for 7km to reel in the group himself. The group was reeled in right before the bridge at Jinshan and that is when Giant ART(1 rider and Lai Kuan Hua) decided to put down the hammer and make a break. They were joined by a Merida rider and 2 Fuji riders.
The group jumped to catch them and this created a huge pileup that included three of our riders(Craig Johns, Wang Ying An, and guest rider Corey Bray). The race went on and the lead group started to gap the group. With the hill climb nearing Specialized Novatec rider Anthony Sinyard furiously pulled Specialized Novatec’s climbing specialist Xiao Wei for 1.5km to the lead group. From there, Xiao Wei was left to battle with the best climbers in Taiwan. Xiao Wei pulled a very impressive second place beating the superstar Lai Kuan Hua in his first pro race.
The elite women’s race started together with age group men. It was very cool to see Specialized Novatec riders Mike Sinyard and Zhang Wang Lin side by side at the start line. The race held together for the entirety of the flat sections. When it came to the hill, things started to mix up. Zhang Wang Lin is the sole Specialized Novatec rider, but battled hard against the other women’s teams. At the final section of the race and the steepest section as well, a Hsinchu County rider was leading Zhang Wang Lin . Zhang Wan Lin whipped her bike around the Hsinchu rider for a photo finish first place.
Last but not least. Many thanks to our honorary Specialized Novatec rider Mike Sinyard. He placed third in his race which is very impressive because the category is 55+ and he is 60 years old.
The big star of the race was Zhang Wan Lin. She was all over the TV that night and in the newspaper the day of and the day after the race. Check the 蘋果報 sports section for coverage on her and the Specialized Novatec team. All in all it was a great performance by the Specialized Novatec team. Thanks to all of our sponsors for their great support! Novatec wheels , VP pedals, and Fma clothing
I am very pleased with our team as we are receiving more media attention than any other cycling team has ever received and more coverage tan all the other teams combined. Not to mention we are also getting great results. Just wait till our star rider Wand Yin Chi comes out for a race!
Below are some media links from our opening party that presented the team and some links from the race.
Opening Party
NorthCoast Race
