On
Sunday, the nation celebrated Father’s Day, and Nevada County celebrated the
56th racing of the Nevada City Classic. Eighteen-year-old Jason Saltzman of
Team Illuminate had a huge breakthrough in his victory in the men’s Pro-1-2
race.
The
men’s pro race has delivered some of the most memorable moments in the
Classic’s storied history, and this year’s edition was no exception. Team
Mike’s Bikes brought the heat early on with a series of attacks on the steep
uphill section of the backside of the course, eventually breaking the field
into several groups and forcing many riders to retire under the excruciating
pace.
The
resulting select group of three comprised of Chris Reikert and Cameron Bronstein
of the Mike’s Bikes team as well as the young Jason Saltzman of Team Illuminate
turned up the heat as the sun began to lower in the sky and the excitement grew
to a fever pitch. Reikert fell back slightly and settled for a hard won third
place on the day; at the front of the race Saltzman and Bronstein threw blow
after blow and move after move at each other over the course of the last
several laps, with Saltzman biding his time until a scintillating move over the
top of the hill gave him the slight advantage he needed to close out the
race.
Duane
Strawser, the race’s director, was not surprised by the breakout performance
from Saltzman.
“We
know all about him; he may not be a Greg LeMond in the media, but he’s one of
the most amazing riders we’ve had in Northern California in several years,”
said Strawser.
The
Classic is Saltzman’s first major Northern California victory, and the rider made
sure to give his father a call as soon as he could after getting off of his
bike.
“It’s
Father’s Day, my dad is the reason I’m racing a bike. He’s been racing 35, 40
years at this point and it’s just incredible,” said Saltzman.
Athlete: Jason Saltman Cat: Pro 1-2
Race: Nevada City Classic, Nev City, Calif. 6-19-2016
Jason is coached by Peaks Coaching Group Coach Scott Monniger
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