2008 Capital Cross Classic - C2

Reston, Virginia, USA, December 7, 2008

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Race 2 - December 7: Elite Men, 60 minutes

Schempf wins gusty final

Weston Schempf (C3-Sollay.com) is overwhelmed with joy
Photo ©: Diego Radzinschi

In a story line that has repeated itself many time throughout this season, team C3-Sollay.com swept the top of the podium with Wes Schempf dominating and new Pennsylvania State Champion "Bad Andy" Wulfkuhle finishing a convincing second. For Schempf, his first UCI victory was a goal, but it came with some outside encouragement.

"I was a little disappointed when I saw that Jeremiah Bishop and Steve Tilford were signed up. But I've been talking with some people who have taught me to not get discouraged and to believe in myself.

"Whenever Jeremiah had been around, that was my previous thought. I was like, 'Ahh, I'm racing for second,'" said Schempf. "So I believed in myself today. I wanted to win, but I said, 'Whatever happens, happens,' and I ended up the holeshot and stuck it from there."

Ironically, Schempf's nemeses, Trek VW's Jeremiah Bishop, actually contributed to his win. Bishop crashed near the run-up on the second lap, not only taking himself out, but also delaying most of the field. Coming out of the pits in front of Tyler Wren, the two worked together to catch Ryan Dewald (Batley Harley Davidson) and to try and close the gap on Wulfkuhle. But the day, like so many others this year, belonged to the two C3-Sollay.com riders, who were also preparing for the team's celebration dinner later that evening.

Tyler Wren (Colavita/Sutter Home) leads
Photo ©: Diego Radzinschi

The now two-time elite men's champion Schempf smiled when he recalled some heckling from one of his teammates during the race, "As I was riding, Marc Vettori was yelling at me that I'm buying the first round tonight. So I'll happily do that."

The final two race weekends of the season were at polar geographic opposites of the large Mid-Atlantic Region, but shared the same cold and very windy weather. As in the Hamptons of Long Island two weeks ago, the winds were the biggest course obstacle that the riders dealt with.

"It was like a slow-motion race," said road pro Tyler Wren of the Colivita Olive Oil / Sutter Home Wines team. "The wind really sapped your energy today. On some of the uphills into the headwind on the grass you're going, like, six miles per hour but putting out 500 watts. Maybe riding on rough roads like in Belgium is like this, but nothing on the road is this bad. But it's tons of fun."

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Diego Radzinschi

The pack begins lap one of the race, riding along the banks of Lake Fairfax.
Weston Schempf (C3-Sollay.com) walks his bike up the run-up.
Tyler Wren (Colavita/Sutter Home) runs with his bike up the run-up. Logs were added this year to the run-up in order to make the section more challenging, forcing riders to dismount before entering.
Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW) during a section of singletrack, holds his position behind the leaders.
Greg Wittwer (ALAN North America Cycling Team) rides a consistent race in the midfield.
Weston Schempf (C3-Sollay.com) flies around a corner on the descent from the hill.
Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW) cutting a corner at full speed during his descend from the top of the hill after the run-up.
Alistair Sponsel (Team Type 1) shows signs of strain as he tries to stay in contact with top contenders.
Tyler Wren (Colavita/Sutter Home) leads Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW) and Ryan Dewald (Batley Harley Davidson) up the short climb before the paved flat leading to the bridge and onto the run-up.
Ryan Dewald (Batley Harley Davidson) powers through the closing laps of the race ahead of Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW).
Weston Schempf (C3-Sollay.com) flies alone with a substantial gap ahead of the rest of the field.
Andrew Wulfkuhle (C3-Sollay.com) goes at full speed to consolidate his second place spot.
Weston Schempf (C3-Sollay.com) is overwhelmed with joy after crossing the line in a very strong first place.
The elite men's podium (l-r): fouth, Tyler Wren (Colavita/Sutter Home), second, Andrew Wulfkuhle (C3-Sollay.com), first, Weston Schempf (C3-Sollay.com), third, Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/VW), and fourth, Ryan Dewald (Batley Harley Davidson).

Results

Elite men

1 Weston Schempf (USA) C3-Sollay.Com                                1.02.09
2 Andrew Wulfkuhle (USA) C3-Sollay.Com                                 0.44
3 Jeremiah Bishop (USA) Trek/Volkswagen                                1.11
4 Ryan Dewald (USA) Batley Harley Davidson                             1.25
5 Tyler Wren (USA) Colavita/Sutter Home                                1.48
6 Michael Gallagher (USA) C3-Sollay.Com                                1.52
7 Greg Wittwer (USA) Alan North America Cycling Team                   2.48
8 Sean Galegher (USA) Hunt Valley Bicycles/HVB                         2.49
8 Stephen Cummings (USA) Indiana Regional Medical Center               4.06
10 Justin Hines (USA) Handlebarscc                                     4.39
11 Andrew Guptill (USA) Colavita Sutter Home P/B Cooking Light         5.03
12 Bobby Lea (USA) Fuji                                                6.42
13 John Minturn (USA) Empire Cycling - Crca                            6.58
14 Adam Szczepanski (USA) Wissahickon                                  8.07

Behind two laps

15 Stuart Louder (USA) Alan North America Cycling                          
16 Alistair Sponsel (USA) Team Type 1                                      

Behind four laps

17 Ryan Mckinney (USA)                                                     
DNS Steve Tilford (USA) Trek Stores                                        
DNS Mike Hebe (USA) Visitpa.Com