PDQ Cleveland Bicycle Club Presents

Chippewa Creek Road Race
SUNDAY, MAY 10, 1998

Held Under U. S. Cycling Federation Race Permit

BRECKSVILLE, OHIO

 * * * * * * * NEWS RELEASE * * * * * * *

Coming of Age, Fast

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio -- "Who did they sacrifice to the gods to get such beautiful weather?," a rider wondered as forecasted showers failed to materialize, giving way to pluperfect conditions for the second annual Chippewa Creek Road Race, presented by PDQ Cleveland Bicycle Club. A total of 128 competitors of all abilities, up from 84 last year, chose from separate races of 20, 28, and 36 miles on a scenic 4.05 mile parkway circuit lying entirely within the Brecksville Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. With foliage in full bloom several weeks early, the park had the look of summer, owing to unusually warm spring tempera-tures and abundant sunshine fueled by El Niño.

But the real story was the increase in size and quality of all fields, as the race continued to develop as a regional-caliber event. Much of this progress is attributable to the race course, a favorite venue since the 1970s and site of the 1980 Ohio District Road Championship, which features something of everything, including a winding, up-and-down, technical "backstretch;" a 45+ mph descent; a hilltop finish; and over 400 feet of climbing per lap. An increase of $350 in prize money from a year ago, as well as new race categories for Masters and Cat. 4 men helped to lure a strong contingent of riders from western Pennsylvania and as far away as Rochester, New York.

Women Upgrade

The most noticeable improvement came in the women’s race, which fielded 10 experienced starters and was run separately over a distance of 20 miles, a one lap increase over 1997. Hudson’s Jody Radkewich (Team Florida), 24, worked over breakaway companion Dee Frazzini, 41, of Wexford, Pennsylvania, then dropped her on the final lap to score an easy win. Radkewich, who will be graduate in December from the University of Florida with a degree in journalism, possesses a varied and distinguished competitive record as an endurance athlete. Originally a triathlete, she was a five-time member of the U.S. Junior National Team, and was the top American finisher in each of her five trips to the world championships, coming in as high as ninth on two occasions. Radkewich ran cross-country for two seasons at the University of Hawaii, then transferred to Florida and ran track before deciding to focus on cycling last September. Not yet sure of her strengths, she has nonetheless gone from a Cat. 4 to 2 in two months, including top-20 finishes in the Tour Lefleur stage race in Jackson, Mississippi, and the Twilight Criterium in Athens, Georgia. This summer, Radkewich plans to compete on the track and in most of races on the women’s national calendar.

After the race, fourth-place finisher Judy Bowen changed shoes and ran a lap of the course. Race promoter Charles Howe was heard muttering that the race must not have been hard enough, and that next year, the women would race with the elite men . . .

(Note: on May 17, Radkewich broke away late in the race, lapped the field, and won the women’s collegiate criterium championship in Greenville, SC.)

Dynamic Masters

With 37 competitors at the starting line (vs. 22 last year), a higher level of competition also characterized the 28-mile Masters race, which featured a new age category with a split (34-42, 43+) intended to equalize the two fields. An early three man break consisting of North Royalton’s Rudy Sroka (Bike Line/Team Burn), Tom Price (GT Bicycles/ACA), and Karl Kule (Little Mountain Velo) set a furious pace, turning laps in the low 10 minute range, but was unable to gain a decisive margin as the pack hovered at 35 - 20 seconds back. Kule was soon shed from this group and Price was caught by Parma Heights’ David Garrett (Dennis C. Jackson/PDQ Cleveland) late in the final go-round, but Sroka managed to preserve a narrow, if well-deserved win, while Kule, a slender climber from Chesterland, recovered to nab fourth overall in the race and win the 43+ category.

Sroka’s background as a member of the first U. S. National Team to compete in Europe (in 1978), his recent success in local road and mountain bike races, time trials, and bi/duathlons are all well known, but through the mid ’90s, he considered himself retired, and raced only on an occasional basis. In 1995, Sroka relocated to Strongsville from his native Connecticut to become the service manager of the newly-opened Bike Line of Broadview Heights, began racing once again, and in his aggressive style, quickly established himself not just as one of the region’s top masters competitors, but as a force to be reckoned with in any race, regardless of category. Fifth in the time trial for his age group at the Masters Nationals last year, he plans to compete in the World Duathlon Championships in Germany next August. In spare moments, Sroka enjoys (what else?!) restoring vintage bicycles.

Elite Men Feature

With a tradition which includes brilliant performances by such national-caliber riders as Gerry Fornes, Jeff Braumberger, and current national road champion Paul Martin, the men’s Cat. 1-3 race was the anticipated climax of the morning, and the nine-lap affair did not disappoint, producing a performance which left some observers wondering if they had witnessed another champion-to-be. After going clear alone on the fourth circuit, Pittsburgh’s Josh Smith (Jeep/Brielle Cycling), 22, turned successive laps timed by a race volunteer at 8:57 and 9:30 to demolish the field, his lead continuing to balloon with each lap turned by the gleaming white Saturn SW2 pace car en route to a final winning margin of 3:23. Smith also snared five of seven $15 lap primes in topping the King of the Mountains classification, and his winning time of 1:32:27 was fully 2:36 faster than the performance turned in last year by Braumberger, of Hilliard, Ohio, who was aided by breakaway companion Martin.

As he collected his cash winnings, the crystal KOM trophy, a bottle of champagne and bouquet of flowers, Smith declared "I’m thinking of doing this for a living," an ambition which had just gained a healthy dose of credibility. Back came an answer: "Win the Nationals in Cincinnatti and wait for the phone to ring," and indeed, his performance carried with it a sense of déjà vu, with a twist: whereas in 1997 an Ohio rider (Martin) went to Pennsylvania hoping to win the stars-and-stripes jersey, this year a Keystone State native looks to come here with the same goal. He does so with the best wishes of riders on both sides of the border in question.

While Smith’s win left no doubt, his margin was somewhat accentuated by a tacit alliance of other Pennsylvania riders, according to FLP-Immke’s David Chernosky. "Once he got his gap, it was clear they weren’t going to attack him," he said. Best of the rest for the second year running was Joe Papp (Fraysse’s Sports Resort), 23, who edged Athens’ Josh Barnett (Wild Thang) despite the latter’s desperate bike throw. "Papp has a pro sprint," Chernosky stated flatly, and results bear this out: he has third and seventh places in the Tour of Somerville to his credit, and this was the first race he has competed in so far this year which he failed to win. This summer, Papp hopes to compete on the track in the points race at the Goodwill Games.

Chernosky donated his own race winnings to wife Laura as a Mother’s Day present.

Among local pre-race favorites, FLP-Immke’s Stefan Kadar, a former junior national champion from Romania, was forced to retire by a broken derailleur bracket, while teammate David Wenger was perhaps slightly fatigued despite an easy win in the 20-mile Juniors 18-and-under race, which started at 7 a.m. Wenger has achieved highly creditable results at the national level himself, with a tenth place finish in the 17-18 year-old category at the Juniors National Time Trial Championship last year in Haddam, Connecticut.

A Bright Future

With many outstanding performances, the 1998 Chippewa Creek Road Race added another eventful chapter to the history of this classic parkway circuit. Race organizers expressed general satisfaction with the event, and plan to present it once again next year. Below are available results from each race; in contrast to last year, when placings and time gaps were available for all finishers, the following information is much less complete, due to shorthandedness at the finish line. This shortcoming is regretted and efforts will be made to correct the problem in the future.

Promoter: Charles Howe.
Officials: Daniel Gabelman (Chief Referee), Charles Howe (Lead Car), Philip Hrusch (Motorcycle).
Sponsors: Dennis C. Jackson Co., LPA; Cleveland Clinic Indepen-dence; PYROapparel; Bike Line of Broadview Heights; Power Bar; Saturn of Middleburg Heights; Bruegger’s Bagels; Water Station Plus; Air Touch Cellular; Century Cycles.
Acknowledgments: Anthony Smith; Paul Martin; Doreen Papajcik; Robert Martin; Robert Fernandez; Cleveland Metroparks; Brecksville/Broadview Heights High School Orchestra; Team Columbus; Lake Erie Wheelers.

* * * * * * OFFICIAL RACE RESULTS * * * * * *

Category 5/Citizen Men:

1. Nate Ziccardi (Hewlett-Packard - Trek/ Lake Erie Wheelers), 23, Lakewood OH; 2. Seth Hosmer (unat-tached), 23, Lakewood OH; 3. Kevin Krol (Tri-Tech - Health & Fitness Promotions), 25, Lakewood OH; 4. Chris Sohayda (Bike Line/Team Burn), 30, Brecksville OH; 5. Jim Houston (Bike Line), 32, Olmsted Falls OH; 6. Steve Abdenour (unatt.), 37, Akron OH; 7. Alan Sugar (Bike Line), 28, Cleveland OH; 8. Mike Johnson (Bike Line), 30, Akron OH; 9. Nick Flesor (unatt.), 39, Akron OH; 10. Jim Trimpe (unatt.), 34, Sagamore Hills OH; 11. Dan Harrison (unatt.), 32, Cleveland OH; 12. Derek Wilford (Bike Line), 39, Euclid OH; 13. Jeff Blodgett (MNFC), 38, Berlin Hts. OH 14. Lynn Sommer (unatt.), 25, Painesville OH; 15. Ron Bergman (unatt.), 57, Gibsonia PA; 16. Jeff Jewitt (H-P - Trek), 43, Strongsville OH; 17. Michael Delaney (Dunbar Armored/Summit Freewheelers), 30, Cleveland OH; 18. Andre Roth (unatt.), 57, Mentor OH; 19. Michael Bednarz (Garfield Bike Shop), 25, Cleveland OH; 20. Barry Pawson (unatt.), 42, N. Ridgeville OH; 21. Jeff Tretara (Garfield B. S.), 38, Cleveland OH; 22. David Kovach (H-P - Trek), 36, Cleveland OH; 23. Anthony Davila (Bike Line), 27, Cleveland OH; 24. Steve Brown (unatt.), 37, Aurora OH; 25. Richard Elwell (unatt.), 26, Willoughby OH;

DNF: Mark Bergman (unatt.), 28, Medina OH; John Young (unatt.), 31, Hudson OH; Robert Stefancin (H-P - Trek), 34, Parma OH (28 starters).

Juniors 18 & under:

1. Wenger, 18, N. Lima OH; 2. Jonathan Crawford (Team Glenwood), 15, New Middletown OH (2 starters).

Open Women:

1. Radkewich; 2. Frazzini (Ambridge Bike Shop/ Allegheny Cycling Association); 3. Tiffany Kenney (Eddy’s Bike Shop), 24, Akron OH; 4. Judy Bowen (Frontier Bike Shop), 41, Erie PA; 5. Jane Evely (unatt.), 29, Kent OH; 6. Doreen Papajcik (D. C. Jackson), 37, Lakewood OH; 7. Megan Concoby (unatt.), 22, Chardon OH; 8. Pam Burda (D. C. Jackson), 40, N. Ridgeville OH; 9. Maureen Milligan (unatt.), 26, Wadsworth OH;

DNF: Carrie Burns (Dunbar), 25, Akron OH (10 starters).

Masters Men 34-42 & 43+ (overall placing followed by age category place in parenthesis):

1. (1) Sroka, 41; 2. (2) Garrett, 34; 3. (3) Price, 38, University Hts. OH; 4. (1) Kule, 45; 5. (2) Donald Cernanec (FLP/Team Akron), 48, Medina Twp. OH; 6. (4) Ed Delgros (Glenwood), 35, Hermitage PA; 7. (5) Alex Strouhal (Bike Line), 37, Strongsville OH; 8. (6) Sal Ponzio, (Glenwood), 39, Girard OH; 9. (3) Dick Brink (GT/ACA), 43, Cleveland Hts. OH; 10. (4) James Cunningham (Bike Line), 49, Strongsville OH; 11. (7) Richard Pudoka (Little Mountain), 38, Clinton OH; 12. (8) Jonathan Hensel (Dayton Cycling Club), 35, New Philadelphia OH; 13. (5) Michael Smith (Dunbar), 43, Cuyahoga Falls OH; 14. (9) John Fiumara (Glenwood), 39, New Middletown OH; 15. (6) James Bowen (Frontier Bike Shop), 43, Erie PA; 16. (10) Terry Griffith (unatt.), 38, New Albany OH; 17. (11) Charles Bortz (Little Mountain), 35, Madison OH; 18. (7) Edgar Ingraham (Dunbar), 52, Akron OH; 19. (12) Larry Pandy (Little Mountain), 42, Concord Twp. OH;

Other finishers (places n/a): Bradley Hansen (FLP-Immke/Team Akron), 38, Akron OH; Alfred Gaiani (Stark County B. C.), 50, N. Canton; John Eldred (D. C. Jackson), 41, Lakewood OH; Jeff Plas (D. C. Jackson), 41, LaGrange OH; Philip Brozier (Team Glenwood), 45, Mineral Ridge OH; Thomas Kriz (D. C. Jackson), 50, Bedford OH; Samuel Praul (Little Mountain Velo), 46, Novelty OH; Ernie Evans (D. C. Jackson), 41, Bay Village OH; Alex Chavarriaga (Glenwood), 56, Austintown OH; George Liolios (Dunbar), 50, Munroe Falls OH; John Hayden (D. C. Jack-son), 43, Bay Village OH; Greg Halter (FLP), 36, Brunswick OH; David Billman (D. C. Jackson), 55, Avon OH; Daniel Peplin (unatt.), 42, N. Olmsted OH; Daryl Breedlove (Little Mountain), 39, Painesville OH; Robert Breedlove (Little Mountain), 45, Painesville OH; Alan Wenger (Glenwood), 46, N. Lima OH;

DNF: Alan Marcosson (D. C. Jackson), 47, Cleveland OH (37 starters).

Category 4 Men:

1. Abel Donka (unatt.), 20, N. Royalton OH; 2. Matt Brungard (G. S. Cianci/Tri-County Cyclist), 30, Greenville PA; 3. James Gutierrez (Dunbar), 40, Bath OH; 4. Aristedes Pablo (unatt.), 35, Broadview Hts. OH; 5. Glen Hance (ACA), 42, Grove City PA; 6. Brian Stern (H-P - Trek), 32, Cleveland OH; 7. Michael Evan (Dunbar), 34, Stow OH; 8. Brian Kenney (Eddie’s B. S.), 24, Akron OH; 9. Don Lu (D. C. Jackson), 28, Lakewood OH;

Others (places n/a): Paul Warloski (Buffalo Bicycle Club), 34, Jamestown NY; David Pekarek (Bike Line), 27, Independence OH; Jack Delaney (Bike Line), 31, Cleveland OH; Wesley Johnson (Glenwood), 26, Youngstown OH; Wilson Perea (H-P - Trek), 29, Lakewood OH; Mike Vega (H-P - Trek), 30, Lakewood OH; Robbie Simpson (H-P - Trek), 30, Cleveland Hts. OH (16 starters).

Category 1-3 Men:

1. Smith, 36.2 miles in 1:32:27 (23.5 mph); 2. Papp, Pittsburgh PA, at 3:23; 3. Barnett, 25; 4. Chernosky, 33, Cleveland OH; 5. Brian Batke (Dunbar), 38, Novelty OH; 6. John Knotts (Pentex/ACA), 21, Harrison City PA, all s.t.; 7. William Henterly (Dunbar), 31, Cleveland Hts. OH, at 3:28; 8. Todd Scheske (Handlebars/QCC), 28, Rochester NY, at 3:29; 9. Wenger, at 3:30; 10. Robbie Dolby (Pike's Peak Velo), 26, Youngstown OH, s.t.;

11-17 (times n/a): 11. Frank Russo (Race Pace Velo Club), 37, Baltimore MD; 12. Hans Strasser (Handlebars), 28, Rochester NY; 13. Jeff Schmela (Athens Velo), 27, Athens OH; 14. Steve Plivelich (Dunbar), 31, Hudson OH; 15. Robert Fernandez (FLP-Immke), 30, Rocky River OH; 16. Frank Corbett (ABS/ACA), 40, Bridgeville PA; 17. Thomas Frueh (Dunbar), 32, Northfield OH;

Others (places n/a): Trent Lundberg (Dunbar), 27, Columbus OH; Tris Hopkins (Dunbar), 33, Stow OH; Peter Gladden (Dunbar), 41, Hudson OH; Robert Martin (Dunbar), 28, Brecksville OH; Rob Gaus (TRM/ACA), 32, Fombell PA; Mark Nicoll (Pentex), 24, Indiana PA; Jon Giese (Bike Line), 26, Cleveland OH; Mike Vanucci (Bike Line), 23, Brecksville OH; Albert Helcberger (unatt.), 23, Euclid OH; David Gray (FLP-Immke), 37, Twinsburg OH; Jim Costello (Handlebars), 30, Buffalo NY; Scott Dorfman (Handlebars), 31, Buffalo NY;

DNF: Kadar, 22, Parma Hts. OH; Bradley Hansen (FLP-Immke), 37, Akron OH; Rudy Sroka (Bike Line), 41, N. Royalton OH; Thomas Price (GT/ACA), 38, University Hts. OH (32 starters).

KOM: Smith, 15 pts. (5 primes); Papp, 10; Batke, 5; Knotts, 4 (1); Chernosky 3 (1).