The first race of the Central Oregon Race Series was a success despite the gale force winds and the cool temperatures which kept many people at home.  The racers applauded the condition of the fast and smooth 1 ¼ mile circuit around the Deschutes County Fairgrounds, and are all looking forward to the next event on Monday the 21^st of May. 

The Class A race saw a blistering first few laps as the racers jockeyed for primes (brownies, cookies, and homemade rootbeer).   Speedster Jim Lewis was relentless and managed a surprising solo 5 lap break until the wind forced him back into the chase group.  The peleton held together for several laps when strongman James Wellington and upstart Kris Powell launched themselves off the front to establish a break that would eventually build to over a minute.  Powell had reserved a bit of energy for the finishing sprint taking Wellington by a bike length at the line. 

The Class B race had an assortment of talent.  Visiting English rider Kevin West pushed the pace at the front sharing the duty of cutting through the nasty wind with a gutsy James Gritters (who was riding a mountain bike with slicks), wily Jake Van Noppen, the steady Lisa Magness (the only woman rider in the field), the jovial Dan Davis, and the everpresent Doug Perrin.  West barely nipped Gritters at the finish in an exciting sprint that including the top six finishers.  Congratulations to Loren Petersen, racing for his first time at the age of 15