Carlsbad, CA – “What a great showing by all of our Junior racers. Our women are quickly showing that they are truly elite and Swami’s Junior Women are the premiere team in Southern California.“ said Tom Nelson, Head Coach. Coming off a great showing by the Team at Tour of Murrieta, where Mark Yaroshevsky continued his run for National Selection with a solid 6th place finish in the Cat 3 Road Race. McKenzie Steiner raced strong in her first Women’s Pro 1/2/3 races and Megan Jastrab competing in the same class took a hard fought third place in Sunday’s Road Race en route to 6th place overall in the omnium competition.
In the San Dimas Stage Race (SDSR), a solid field of top regional riders, international riders and multiple National Champions was in attendance and our riders challenged in each class and each race. Friday’s uphill time trial, in a field of over 70 riders, Mark continued his National Selection pursuit finishing 13th and on solid ground to contest the next two events. Jacob Ingwersen, Ryan Jastrab, Levi Jefferies and Ryder Phillips posted times showing that Swami’s Junior Men where present and ready to race! Saturday’s road race started under crisp cool skies and after 7 laps of the rolling and scenic course, Mark crossed the line in 11th place and Ryan and Jacob were in the top 20. All rested that night knowing that Sunday’s criterium would be some of the fastest racing any of them had ever experienced. The whistle blew on time and they were spinning pedals in anger. Ryan and Mark covered the leaders and Jacob put pressure on the field. All contested Prime’s and kept the pace high. As the field crossed the line, Ryan was 12th, Mark was 14th and Jacob in the top 30. All of the young men forced the race and USA Cycling took notice as Mark Yaroshevsky was invited to the National Selection Training Camp and to race 3 events in Europe representing the U.S. The team was over the top and extremely proud of Mark and this accomplishment. This is the 3rd year that Swami’s has had representation on the National Junior Team.
Swami’s Junior women came into their own at the San Dimas Stage race. McKenzie Steiner has blossomed into an aggressive force and had her best outing of the season at the extremely fast SDSR! Recognizing the importance of the time trial, McKenzie dug deep and finished a solid ride heading into stage 2 in 15th place. Road racing, her area of true strength saw her fight through the rolling hills and a fast, aggressive field to take the fifth position on the podium and improve her general classification (GC). Sunday, was impressive. “McKenzie rode with a true sense of purpose and determination that I had not previously seen. It was amazing to watch her push the field!” said Ryan Meskimen, Assistant Coach. McKenzie was instrumental in keeping the pace extremely high and as a result helped her team mate, Makayla to a GC podium position and the green jersey.
Makayla MacPherson arrived with her traditional steely-eyed concentration and finished the first stage in 4th place ready to make her mark on Saturday. Contesting the Women 4/5, Makayla hounded the leaders with her tenacity, stealing sprint points and sprinted across the line in 2nd place and donned the green jersey going into stage 3. Makayla was brilliant on Sunday! With a strategy formed by Rob MacPherson and Derek Steiner (McKenzie and Makayla’s fathers), Makayla set out to dominate the sprints to keep her green jersey. With the one to go bell, Makayla was sitting second wheel with McKenzie forcing the pace. As she exited the final turn Makayla jumped in a gear too high, but through sheer power ground out an incredible sprint for the win!! Makayla took home the 3rd place medal in the GC and the green jersey!
Megan is a Junior racing as a Women’s Cat 2 and contested the Women Pro 1/2 race. After Friday’s time trial, Megan was in the top 20 and ready challenge her strongest events. Megan challenged all sprint segments and finished the road race in the green jersey and with a bike throw on the 5th step of the podium. Moving up steadily in the GC, Megan, a recognized sprinter arrived Sunday prepared to challenge the elite women in the Pro field. The race started and the pace was high. Megan marked her challengers covering all sprints, determined to hold on to the green jersey. Coming out of last corner on the bell lap, Megan was sitting perfect position. As the leaders stood to sprint, Megan outsprinted all to the line landing on the top step of the Criterium podium with the point’s jersey!
Solidly into the season, our riders are training diligently, gaining strength and carrying on the strong racing tradition of Swami’s!
Swami’s Junior DET Riders would like to thank their sponsors: Hoehn Motors, Hyland’s, Illy, Kent Howard, Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, ZOCA, Nytro Multisport, Cannondale, Sockguy, WD-40, Glukos and Smith. Swami’s Cycling Club is committed to training racers and supporting young talented athletes. To learn more about Swami’s Cycling Club, the Swami’s Junior Development Elite Team and sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Fred Muir, President, Swami’s Cycling at jfmuir@swamis.org
