PRESS RELEASE July 19, 1998
G.S. Blauwkamp Memorial Road Race
Jamestown, Michigan

"Cyclist’s Win Powered by Tribute"

Clear skies and moderate temperatures helped all the cyclists equally Saturday’s second annual G.S. Blauwkamp Memorial Road Race in Jamestown. Grand Rapids cyclist Bob Ryskamp of the G.S. Blauwkamp Cycling Club, though, had extra help in his win – remembering that the race was dedicated to his team’s namesake, Greg Blauwkamp.

Blauwkamp, an avid cyclist, died at the age of 22 in a non-cycling related car crash. The race, and the team, was named in his memory. This year’s event attracted over 170 racers from across the Midwest and Canada. The race, sponsored by West Michigan Community Bank, offered over $3,000 in cash and prizes.

The premiere race of the day featur ed the top-ranked cyclists (Category 1-3) racing 7 laps of the 9.5 mile course for a total of 66 miles. With a field of over 70 cyclists, this race gave spectators and racers alike a great display of team tactics. By the second lap into the race, five riders, including Ryskamp, established a gap of about twenty seconds over the rest of the field.

"The group kept a steady pace up the hills, which helped all of us conserve energy," Ryskamp said after the race.

By the fourth lap the group’s lead reached about 35 seconds before members of the Grand Rapids-based Alpine Cycling team began to reel them in. With the help of a strong effort by the Alpine team, the break was finally caught with less than two laps remaining. As the group of five were swallowed up by the field, the fireworks began. The last lap saw one rider after another launch an attack in an unsuccessful effort to get away for victory. The right combination, however, did not occur until less than five miles to the finish line. Riding up the first of the several hills on the back side of the course, Ryskamp established a slight gap over the field.

"I was riding tempo up the hills, hoping to deter more attacks by keeping the speed up. I glanced over my shoulder and saw I had a small gap," Ryskamp said.

The slight gap triggered one last attack by Daryl Uhler of Lansing (racing for Team Saturn), who charged past Ryskamp. Ryskamp responded by latching onto Uhler’s wheel, and the winning break was formed. The two men worked together to make, and keep, a tenuous ten second lead over the pack. With less than a mile to go, and the pack chasing hard, Ryskamp and Uhler began a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse – each slowing slightly, waiting for the other to start the final sprint to the line.

"I figured that if we got to the one kilometer mark (.6 miles), we’d be safe," Ryskamp explained. When Uhler looked over his shoulder to find Ryskamp’s position, Ryskamp launched his winning attack on the opposite side. In the end, Ryskamp held the lead to the finish line, claiming the win and a $300 first place check. Uhler crossed the line, taking second. Claiming third place in the hard-charging field sprint was Steve McGregor of Ohio (racing for Michigan Cyclesport).

To Ryskamp, the race’s memorial to his team’s namesake, Greg Blauwkamp, gave him the motivation to reach his goal. "All race long, I kept thinking about how this was a tribute to Greg, and I think that gave me a little extra energy," said Ryskamp.

The race featured events in five other classifications as well. Fred Anderson of Lansing (racing for Michigan Cyclesport) emerged as the winner of the 59-man field in the Category 3-4 division. This race featured a bit of the unexpected as the pack of riders passed a horse and rider along the edge of the road. Apparently surprised by the overtaking cyclists, the horse bolted through the pack and across the road. Amazingly, all of the cyclists were able to avoid the horse, and avoid injury.

In the thirtyseven-mile Masters 35+ division, Todd Metz of Chicago (racing for Team Chicago Dough Factory) won the field sprint against 24 other riders. Metz charged through at the line, just ahead of William Gilboe, who finished second. Julie Bultman won the Women’s field after racing 37 miles. And Kevin Camp, of Grand Haven (also racing for G.S. Blauwkamp), took home first place in the Junior’s division.

Written by Brion Brooks, VP, G.S. Blauwkamp Cycling Club, 616-669-5455
For more information, call Scott Dombrowski, Pres, G.S. Blauwkamp Cycling Club: 616-457-6692