The season is getting under way for the Fiordifrutta boys, and the team is currently spread across the US putting in the early season miles before coming together as a team for New England’s spring classics. Mike Dietrich writes a race report from sunny Tucson, while Shawn Milne checks in with a win in Europe on a trip for the US National team. Fellow national teamer and Fiordifrutta star Oliver Stiler Cote took 17th in the same race.

Dietrich Takes Third at Tucson Bike Classic Stage 2, March 5-7

The race opened with Friday’s time trial which was a difficult 3.3 miles with the second half was primarilly uphill. I took Curt's advice and took the beginning very easy, then once I hit the climb I went as hard as my skinny legs would push me. I ended up in 15th with a time of 7:46, an improvement of 30 seconds over my last year’s time. I was pleasantly surprised since it is the first weekend in March.

Saturday’s road race was a fairly difficult 84 miles with a time bonus on the first lap at the top of the 12% Gates Pass that we would have to climb over 4 times. I went for the bonus but just barely missed it. A break of 3 riders formed after the first time up the climb. They stayed out for 3 of 4 laps. The last lap was really hard for me, since I felt like I was getting in every move. None worked, so after the climb I decided my only option was to try out my sprint. I stayed in the front, but towards the end the riders swarmed and I got boxed in the middle. I was patient and made my way out, and somehow sprinted to third place ahead of former Fiordifrutta rider Mike Jones (Heathnet)! I was happy since I am not usually a powerful sprinter.
The circuit race on Sunday was a rolling 50 miles. Our race started out pretty fast, and I made an effort to get in any break that looked strong after lap 4. Then 3 guys got away, our field was neutralized and the break gained a lot of time. After the field was de-neutralized a few teams chased but were not able to bring back the three. I stayed in the field and finished 20th. Overall I ended up in 11th place and was happy with the good training I got!

Milne Wins Trofee Disputation Alicante, March 6, Spain

The course was a 25k loop that had a 3k climb and a 1.5k climb and we did it 4 times. Right from the start I felt fantastic, and started itching to try for some kind of result. The third time of the first climb (3k) I jumped with a rider and got a 5 man group to go at the top of the climb. Half a lap later one guy flatted, but the four of us left worked well together. I had no idea how far back the field was because I don't speak any Spanish. I would hear motorcycle judges ramble in Spanish and then flash a whole bunch of fingers at me trying to show the time split with one hand. Needless to say, I just decided to ignore them and let the 3 Spaniards worry about the time gaps.

The last time of the 3k climb we saw the field around a switchback. We quickened a little, but two of the riders weren't looking so strong. Half way up the last climb I turned to see the field again, so I attacked and gained some more time by the top, with one rider staying with me. Later on, I found that we had a 1:00 lead at the top of the climb. Being the bigger of the two riders, I let gravity do its thing, and I bombed the descent as fast as I could. We got to the bottom of the descent and had 7k of rollers and then 3k of the flat highway into downtown. As soon as we got to the long, straight, flat road, we could see the field catching up. I kept calm and eased up on my turns on the front to rest for the sprint. This prompted a flurry of yells from the Spaniard, but I stuck with my plan, undeterred. I had an eerie feeling that we would make it. With 500 meters to go I got behind the Spaniard and then started my sprint at 300 meters. I had enough of a lead by the finish to raise my hands and enjoy my first European victory! We ended up only 3 seconds ahead of the field. Talk about cutting it close!