Win-win day for SR rider

Gavin Chilcott of Santa Rosa was a promising U.S. cyclist almost two decades ago when he spent parts of five seasons racing in Europe.

After taking almost 15 years off from the sport to become a biologist and establish himself in the work force, Chilcott, then approaching 40, began race training again.

Now 43 - but looking more like a 25-year-old fitness fanatic - Chilcott can no longer keep up with the world's elite cyclists.

But put him in a regional professional race like Sunday's Clover Stornetta Farms downtown Santa Rosa criterium and it's like turning his competitive clock back 20 years.

Chilcott, riding for the Dewar's Racing Team, won the hour-long masters 35-plus race against 44 other cyclists from around Northern California and Nevada.

He easily outsprinted national 35-40 age-group champion Mike Hutchinson of Napa to claim the victory over the 0.7-mile course.

An hour and a half later, following a victory in the pro women's race by his partner, Laura Charameda of Fulton, Chilcott saddled up for the 90-minute pro race.

Calling on his reserves, Chicott broke away from the pack of 39 pro riders with about six laps to go and scored a 10-second victory to claim the $500 first-place check. He won the same race last year after finishing third in the masters race.

"This felt special," Chilcott said after the race. "I didn't know I could ride at this level until I won a criterium at Santa Cruz last year. Now I'm riding to win and not just to survive."

Former Santa Rosan Nathan Miller, 19, who had an early 12 second lead, wasn't surprised that Chilcott dominated the two main men's races.

"It's nothing out of the ordinary for someone who raced in Europe," said Miller. "He'll (Chilcott) be the first to admit he's slowing down. But he's still very crafty."

Miller said there is a moment late in a race when a veteran rider like Chilcott will sense when riders are tired and content to stay packed. When Chilcott took off with six laps remaining, Miller wasn't surprised.

"I wanted to go with him, but I didn't have enough left," he said.

Chilcott said he trains hard to be able to push at the end.

"It's risky going out that early, but they let me go," he said.

Charameda's victory was surprising only because a year ago, on her 40th birthday, she was nearly killed in a Santa Rosa racing accident after slamming helmet first into a parked car.

After an international racing career, Charameda could easily have quit her competitive riding after the accident, but she didn't want to send the wrong message to her young cycling students with Team Swift.

Charameda is the director of the 35-member Team Swift, a non-profit organization designed to help develop young cyclists from Sonoma County.

Charameda not only recovered from serious head and leg injuries from the crash, but captured the national masters championship last summer.

Sunday's Race was a huge success for those involved with the Team Swift.

Not only did Charameda win, but her assistant coach, Cindy Carroll of Santa Rosa, captured the women's masters race. And Chilcott is also a team coach. They all raced for Dewar's spirits, but also for the young club.

"All are great role models," said Team Swift rider Ethan Weiss, a 15-year-old Petaluma High School student who finished second to Alex Wick of the Davis Bike Club in the juniors 12-15 race.