Local cyclist Emily Marcolini just had to follow the races.
With inclement weather in Ontario making it near impossible to get in any racing close to home, Marcolini was off to California last month, getting an early start on her 2018 schedule.
Competing in the Tour de Murrieta, Marcolini finished fourth overall following two days of racing, largely on the basis of her 4th place ranking in the women's pro circuit race.
Clocking a time of 2:06.46, Marcolini was right in the mix with the lead pack of Shelby Reynolds (2:06.38), Lizbeth Ureno (2:06.39) and Esther Walker (2:06.40), more than three minutes ahead of the chase grouping.
Next up was the 19th Annual San Dimas Stage Race presented by Southern California Velo, as Marcolini was beaten only by Jasmine Duehring (TWENTY20 p/b Sho-Air) in a field of 21 cyclists.
Her time of 18:19 left her eight seconds back of Duehring, but a full twelve seconds ahead of Krista Doebel-Hickok of Cyclance Pro Cycling. By the end of March, it was back to Canada as Marcolini and the balance of her provincial counterparts gathered for the first Ontario Cup race of the season, the Mosport Classic.
Covering a 76km course in a time of 2:27.20, Marcolini was right on the heels of both Luce Bourbeau (Desjardins-Ford) and Joyce Spruyt (Rise Racing), the tandem securing first and second place with a dead even time of 2:27.18.
After completing a few more events in Ontario, it is back to California in May for the graduate of St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, taking part in the Redlands Classic, one of several events on the U.S. Pro Tour circuit.
