This year’s race marked the 10-year anniversary for the Carrera de San Rafael, a criterium bicycle race circling an eight-block radius in downtown San Rafael, California. Racing began in the afternoon with amateur categories and continued until the pros battled it out as the sun went down.

Proman dominated the race early on.

The women’s race rolled out with a hard pace set right from the start by the Proman squad. A breakaway of four quickly moved out front.

 Lead group ,including Sarah Bamberger (Cheerwine Cycling), escapes.

Shelley Olds (Proman) leads the chase group.

Olds pulled in front of the main group and with a team mate in tow powered towards the lead group.

Shelley Olds (Proman) catches the front group and works for team mate Helen Drumm.

Helen Drumm (Proman) timed her winning move perfectly on the last lap, using the slight uphill on one side of the course to outride Shelley Olds (Proman) and Sarah Bamberger (Cheerwine Cycling).

“I liked the course,” said Drumm. “The pitch was just enough to where I could still get a jump on everybody. That’s perfect for a power rider like me.”

Carrera de San Rafael Podium

1. Helen Drumm (Proman)

2. Shelley Olds (Proman)

3. Sarah Bamberger (Cheerwine Cycling)

All photos copyright Stephanie Gutowski.