Capitol City Criterium
June 18, 2006
Lincoln, NE
Click image for larger photoJoe McWilliams Delivers On Father's Day At Capitol City Criterium
By Sean Weide
More than a few times this season, Team Kaos Captain Joe McWilliams has played the role of mentor and domestique for his younger teammates.But Sunday, McWilliams got the opportunity to showcase the skills that have made him one of Nebraska's winningest bicycle racers. The soon-to-be 38-year-old joined teammate Tim Farnham in a breakaway that lapped the Category I-II-III field on the way to his victory in the Capitol City Criterium at Lincoln Southwest High School.
"It was fun," McWilliams said of his first victory in more than a year. "These last two years, I've really had to back my training off because of my (13-month-old) daughter, Amanda. I try to squeeze in an hour when I can. Today, I felt really good until eight laps to go."
McWilliams said he has only done two rides this year longer than 60 miles.
"My experience gets me through the races," he said. "I try to stay out of the wind and follow the smart moves when I can."
Following the right move was integral to McWilliams' victory Sunday. When Lincoln Plating-Lemond's Mike Munson attacked on the first lap, Team Kaos' Ian Robertson covered the move and McWilliams followed, making it a three-man breakaway. The trio worked together and quickly built a double-digit lead. At that point, Farnham attempted to bridge, but his move was covered by one of Munson's teammates, Marc Walter.
Not content to sit in the pack, though, Farnham attacked the field again and successfully bridged to the group of three. With a three-against-one scenario, Munson had his hands full.
"After a few laps of taking turns at the front, we each took turns attacking the break away, which forced him to drag our other two teammates up to whoever attacked," Farnham said.
Eventually, though, it was Robertson who fell off the pace. Munson went to the front to keep the third Kaos rider from rejoining - but his own effort proved costly. When McWilliams attacked, the Lincoln Plating-Lemond rider couldn't follow. Soon, it was just McWilliams and Farnham at the front and the pair quickly closed the gap to the field to gain a lap.
"It was a steady two-man team time trial," McWilliams said. "I was wishing we could have stayed together and kept Ian with us, but it doesn't always work out the way you want it to."
Content to sit in for the remainder of the 60-minute race, McWilliams finished just ahead of Farnham in the field sprint, pumping his fist as he crossed the line. His victory was the second big win of the weekend for Team Kaos, adding to the Nebraska State Time Trial crown won by Marco Vasquez on Saturday.
"With a few laps to go, I asked Tim if it was OK for me to take the win," McWilliams said. "We've done a lot a work for him and I think he's won four times already this year. It's not all about one guy winning all the time. If someone gets in a good position, we'll work for them and we'll support them. We're all actually jelling really well as a team this year."
Click image for larger photoTeam Kaos went one better in the women's open division, sweeping the podium with Marie Neville taking her first victory of the season over teammates Morgan Chaffin and Emily Farnham. Chaffin and Neville broke away early on in the 30-minute race, with Neville edging Chaffin in the sprint. The result was a reversal of Saturday's time trial, when Neville finished second to Chaffin.
