Gregg Bednorski Memorial (GDVC) #1 - Madison
The Wisconsin Cup is off and running after the first USAC race in the state yesterday on Madison's southwest side. The course is a "D" shaped course, just under a mile long and next week's race will be run on the same course, but in the opposite direction. In the early bird races this week, the U15 Juniors was won by Everett Jones (Baraboo Sharks), the 15-18 Juniors was won by Spencer Oswald (Baraboo Sharks), and Heidi Stangl (unattached) took the Women Cat. 4's.
The Master's 3/4 riders had their hands full with Albertus Rohling (Unattached) who rode off the front by himself, and just kept going! There were multiple attempts to catch him, but they were all unsuccessful and absorbed. Jeff Melcher (Unattached) came in second, Richard Amen (Team Extreme) third.
The Cat. 4 event developed in a similar fashion to the Cat. 5 in that after one lap of easy going tempo, the afterburners were lit, and slower riders were sent off the back in a hurry. With 10 laps to go it was obvious that it was probably going to come down to a field sprint and that's just what happened. Ryan Carlson (Wheel and Sprocket) appeared to have it in the bag, but once again Matt "Speedy" Haiduk came from behind and nipped Carlson for the win. Check out the finish line photo!
Master's 4/5. Some riders, who rode the Elite Men's 4 race, stuck around to do the Master's 4/5 which immediately followed. This race too, came down to a field sprint with Michael Froh (Velo Trocadero) opening it up from the last corner and holding it to the line for the win. As the dust settled, it became obvious though, that this wasn't a straight cut sprint finish as we now see three riders laying in the road just after the final turn. Word has it that the field came through that last corner real hot, and the rear wheel of one rider simply skipped sideways, putting his bike into a wobble that ultimately he could not control. Two others went down with him and none were quick to get back on their feet. They hit hard and they stayed down. It was apparent that one rider had hit his head and he was taken to the hospital by ambulance. We with him well and hope for a full and fast recovery.
Masters 1/2/3. Deja Vu for the fast Masters racers as Chris Halverson (IS Corp) get's his first win of the season. A group of 10 riders got away in the first half of the race and it looked like they were going to be able to hold it to the end. As the bell rang for the last lap, the pack had gained enough time on the break to get just within striking distance and a number of riders let it all hang out in order to bridge that gap. Additional attacks on the back straight must have been fast and furious because the field came around the last turn all strung out and it was Halverson powering ahead for the victory. Surely, many more will follow.
Andrew Stoll (IS Corp) won thefield sprint in the Men's Cat. 3 event which was a barn burner - start to finish. The entire race was attack! attack! attack! with a few racers getting up to 10 seconds advantage ,but no more. At the bell, Chazz Martin (IS Corp) took a serious flyer, but even he was denied escape. Ric Damm of Ripon shares his Garmin data with us and it shows that the speed of that race was around 40kph the entire time.
About 60 riders lined up for the Pro 1/2 event, and it was fast as usual. Again and again riders would gain up to 10 seconds only to be denied escape. There was always plenty of horsepower at the front and at one point the field was strung out to a long single line, not unlike like a rubber band being stretched to it's breaking point. If even just one rider had let a gap open up, the field would have been split in two, but everyone stayed on the gas and the pack stayed together. Strongmen Chad Hartley (Kenda/Gear Grinder) and James Stemper (Kenda/Gear Grinder) were often at the front pressing, pressing to get something going, but in the closing laps it was Kyle Jacobsen (IS Corp), Adam McClurg (LAPT), and Tristan Schouten (Planet Bike) who managed to get a 15 second lead. With two laps to go, Stemper was again on the point, pulling for all he was worth, trying to bring back the escapees - which he did. Crossing the line as the bell rang, Stemper pulled off - job well done, however it was Dan Ajer (Unattatched) taking the hotly contested field sprint for his second win of the year. It took a photo finish to separate the top 5 riders in this one.
The Women's 1/2/3 race was thelast of the day, and Team Kenda was present in force showing a total of 8 riders on the start line. It was no surprise then that they ended up with two in the breakaway with Kristin Wentworth getting the win over
Rachel Roessingh (IS Corp), and Kelly Hess (Kenda) coming in third.
Racing continues at this same course next Sunday after Velo Trocadero's event at Menomonee Falls Park on Saturday.
[Excuse the spaces in the text above making it hard to read. This software is horrible! Will be looking for a remedy A.S.A.P. - Editor]
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