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by Thomas Nagy
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Blue Skies greeted national and local racers as they took the line at the Blue Bell Cycling Classic in Blue Bell, PA. The course was a challenging 5 mile loop that rolled through the Philadelphia suburb, but it had a technical one mile section, with 15 turns, that would prove to be a selector. The riders would negotiate the loop 10 times for a total of 50 miles. On paper a very easy course, but throw in some pro power like Mercury-Viatel, Navigators and Zaxbys, plus some top local teams and you got yourself a very difficult race. The race started out with 135 riders trying to take a piece of the $5,000.00 purse that paid 25 deep. From the opening laps the race was destined to be fast as riders were already in trouble when the group came across the line for the first time. On lap one, which took 11:15 to complete, there was an attack of two riders that included Scott Mayo (Tru Brew) and Alex Lavellee (Kissena), but with the field strung out the move was quickly brought back. On laps two through four small breaks were able to gain, at most, 15 seconds, but all breaks were begin brought back by good team work from Mercury- Viatel and Snow Valley. At mile 15 the first major break of the day went clear and it included a good mix of riders. Representing the break were Jon Wirsing and Josh Frick (Snow Valley), Kyle Wamsley (Scott BiKyle Flyers), Josh Beck (Aquafina), Todd Herrott (CRCA), Mike Freidman (Fraysse's) and Sergio Andra Robison (Toga). Well, almost a perfect mix as there were no Mercury- Viatel riders in the break. Pack dynamics on lap 6 and 7 brought the break back and then on lap 8, with only 15 miles remaining, the real action started. At this point the peleton had been whittled down to about 90 riders. With 12 miles to go two Mercury-Viatel riders, Jon Retseck and Allan Richburg, and Charlie Issendorf (GS Mengoni) launched and attack that was able to shake the field. This group had about 30 seconds on the field as it crossed the start/finish line. Snow Valley missed the move but Skip Menard and Sean Groom, both of Snow Valley and Steve Roszko (NCC/Bikereg.com), were at the front stringing out the field in pursuit of the escapees. This was putting the hurt on the field as gaps were developing and riders were beginning to abandon in groups. Remaining riders were desperately trying to follow wheels and hoping that the chase would let up so they could catch their breath. No dice, the chase continued. As the riders negotiated the tight neighborhood section Chris Wherry (Mercury Viatel) was able to bridge across and then attack the break. The only rider that was able to react to this power move was Issendorf. With 5 miles to go Wherry and Issendorf were working hard to keep off a charging field lead by Snow Valley, as they were trying to get their sprinter, Rainiel Sanchez, to the line. With 1 mile to go Wherry attacked Issendorf, who could not respond. Wherry was able to take the win as Issendorf rolled in for second, just ahead of a charging field. Snow Valley was able to salvage the third place with great team work, as Rainiel Sanchez out sprinted Wilson Vasquez (GS Mengoni) and Derek Bouchard Hall (Mercury-Viatel). |
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Complete Results PRO-AM, sponsored by Lincoln-Mercury 1 Chris Wherry -Mercury-Viatel
1 Laurie Hug - Unattached
1 Carolyn Fischer - Freddie Fu Masters 30+, sponsored by smartFUEL 39 starters 1. Karl Woitas - Enzymatic Therapy Masters 40+, sponsored by Rudy Project 1. Donald McCauglan - Quaker City Wheelmen Mens Cat 3/4, sponsored by PowerTap (Graber) 1 Scott Farmer - Bike Line Women - Citizens 1 Dawn Wetzel Men - Citizens 1 Brandon Ott |
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