Chris and Larry are both class acts. It is fun to race with them, although to me, they are basically unbeatable. It is always much easier to lose to a sportsman-like competitor.

i been trying to warn people about the Phipps legs!

good racing out there. way to take it to the sprinters.
~m

Larry is one of the nicest guys I've had the privilege to race against. I really admire everything he has done and continues to do for this sport.

He was up front for much of the first half of the race really putting the hurt on the whole pack. I got lucky and slipped away at the right moment. I knew everyone would be coming hard on the last lap and I dared not look back during the last 200M. When I crossed the line and looked over and saw Larry right there it was the biggest thrill I've ever had on a bike, but I was way too tired to raise even one arm.

Actually that picture shows Larry crossing the finish line raising his arm to point at Chris in tribute for his great finish. Just a chilling, wonderful thing to watch.

To tie together another recent conversation about racing composure, how fortunate we all are in this region to have Larry guiding new racers at Early Birds, and being such a damned good role model every time he sets rubber to road.

I agree Jester. CP started his season with winning
the San Bruno Hill Climb. He went from a Cat 5
winner of this climb in 2006. To winning the Pro 1/2
field in 2007. I love to watch the video of Chris
slowly pulling the field apart at San Bruno.
Did not make Brisbane this year, but there's
a great picture of Larry bearing down on Chris.
I could only imagine during the race Chris knew
he would not beat them in a sprint, so he did what
he does best when there's a hill. See Ya!
Great racing Chris!

I have got to say that it was worth the $30 to race half the 35+ 1/2/3 race (before I was terminally spat out and tracked over by the pack) for the sake of drinking some vintage brew and watching a truly epic finish.

Chris Phipps on a heroic solo breakaway. 15 seconds ahead on the final lap. As the pack hears the bell, I saw Larry Nolan move from the back of the pack strongly to the left at the crest. In my inner ear I heard the deep cello notes from the Jaws theme reverberate.

About 4 minutes later, when they next approached the top of the hill, it was Chris Phipps slamming the pedals and Larry 30 meters back, low and in the drops, pushing an incredible wave of power, surging forward like a predator for the kill. I swear Larry was riding 20% faster than anyone in the race for the last 100 meters.

I was with a group of racers-turned-spectators. Yes we were drinking, but we turned to each other after watching that finish, breathless like we'd been gut-punched. I mean, we were plain awe-struck. I think my eyes even got a trifle dewy.

I have been way off the front and pursued like that by Larry before, mano a mano. I was overcome with nary a whimper. I was chum. He stamped a V on my forehead and sent me to victim's counseling.

You are a damned superhero, Chris Phipps!! Take off that meek disguise and show us your true colors. You are no DC wannabe ... you are a Marvel Comics masterpiece. Great race!!

Master 35+ 1/2/3 top 10

1 Christopher Phipps ZteaM
2 Larry Nolan AMD Masters
3 William Innes AMD Masters
4 Chris Wire Safeway
5 Michael Hutchinson
6 Don Langley Morgan Stanley
7 Michael Ma Safeway
8 Ronnie Kier Central Valley
9 Henry Kramer Cal Giant
10 Robert Pasco Safeway

Cat 4 top 10 results

1 Ryan Prsha Alto Velo
2 Chris Turner Third Pillar
3 Chris Gaston
4 Daniel Lam TBS Racing
5 Douglass Hall Los Gatos
6 Blayn Tolleson Cal Giant
7 Bret Martin
8 Jarred Ives
9 James Hardy Team Oakland
10 Filip Vanacht Los Gatos

Master 35+ Cat 5 top 10

1 Craig McKinlay CA Rd Club
2 Paul Henderson VSRT
3 Allen Jones ECM
4 Sean Handel Alto Velo
5 Rob Nerrie
6 James Bean Pen Velo
7 Douglas Aldrich San Jose BC
8 Karl Wurzbach NU Vision
9 Paul Dyrwal Z Team
10 Thomas Elam

Women Cat 4 Top 10

1 Anna Woldring Velo Girls
2 Samantha Taylor CA Rd Club
3 Arwen Bradley Stanford
4 Susannah Breen Contra Costa CC
5 Annie Yates CA Rd Club
6 Monique Quandt Metromint
7 Soni Andreini Poulsen Velo Bella
8 Bridgette Lery CA Rd Club
9 Margaret Winder Contra Costa CC
10 Starla Teddergreen Dolce Vita

Cat 5 Top 10

1 G Coleman
2 Chris Isley Alto Velo
3 Mark O'Brien
4 Maury Long Team Oakland
5 Paul Frank
6 Brandon Wong
7 Sean Handel Alto Velo
8 Chris Stevens Godspeed
9 Samuel Wilson Stanford
10 Paul Dyrwal Z Team Cycling