Kenosha Velosport #3

WISCONSIN: Kenosha - Kenosha Velosport Training Race #3 - A little cooler today with a change in the wind to more off Lake Michigan, but still a fairly good turnout. Organizers had music and an announcer this week, so that added to the vibe. Racing was aggressive in all categories. The only crash that was known of was in the Masters 30+ when 5 riders went down in the final turn of their race. No one was killed despite a nice set of skid marks left on the road and some pedal digs in the cement. Three riders broke away in the Cat. 5 race but never got the final bell, so they never sprinted. The Cat. 4 race simply blew apart from a fast pace from the get go. The once friendly Men's Cat. 1/2/3 race became a more serious Men's *PRO* 1/2/3 event when Chad Hartley (Kenda Pro Cycling) showed up at the start.

Class is in session, let the schooling begin!

Delay for 'registration', not sure what that was about but after about a 25 minute delay, the race begins and it was quickly evident that Chad Hartley (Kenda Pro Cycling) was present and the little Cat 1/2/3 race suddenly became a *PRO* Cat 1/2/3 event!

There were a number of surges off the front early, but nothing really developing.

Hartley simply riding tempo on the front, keeping every
thing in check and quickly the original group of 27 riders was split in half.

10 minutes in : 2 off off the front Hartley and one other /1 chaser /1 chaser / main group of 14 / 9 in the 'laughing group'.

15 minutes in: the two leaders have lapped the 9 back markers and the main group of 14 have
essentially sat up.

20 minutes, individual riders are trying to get away from the main group, hard pulls on the front
are met with shrugs by those behind. No two riders are able to work together. Their overall pace is slow.

The lead pair continue to gain time. Harley is spinning a low gear, riding on the hoods.

25 minutes. Still no cooperation in the main group and they are within sight of the lead pair.

27 minutes - the field is caught, Hartley blows through the peloton, picking up a Team Mack rider glued to his wheel.

38 minutes - 3 laps to go ... time to roll ... Hartley opens it up, dropping Team Mac.

Field now has a rotation going on the point but it's much too late. Hartley easily takes the win.

Class dismissed!

Results not yet available on line, but Tom Thiesen (The Tom-inator) (Big Ring Flyers) picks up 3rd today, and got 2nd last week. Ka-ching!