Robert Winder

Close to 50 guys show up to ride the premier event of the weekend and it comes down to a last lap jump by Ryan Parnes.

I’d have put money on BPG & Metromint to be one of the winners, but Randy must’ve left it all on the streets of San Rafael last weekend, as the minty’s came, dominated and destroyed the field.

First it was the turn of the awe-inspiring Jarred Barryuw, off the front and gaining over 20 seconds on the main field, he took away so many goodies that he needed an empty suitcase to carry them all in, prime after prime he stayed away. The chase coming from AMD’s Metcalfe, Lombardi’s new recruit, Fischer and Pegasus elite climber, Pete Graf. Eventually though the inevitiable catch came with about 5 to go, Jarreds legs ran out of steam and the minty’s regrouped, saving for the last lap heroics from Ryan.

The last part of the race was just a blur of gear mashing, leg pumping, chest thumping and with one to go Parnes attacked the first corner and obliterated the field. Anyone who raced Lafayette will surely appreciate the effort to go up the finishing straight. Ryan held off all the snorting and wailing to bring the win home for Metromint from a fast approaching David McCook and Chad Fischer.

I’m sure I saw fire coming out of their nose and steam coming from their ears.